Democrats Break Ranks To End Historic Shutdown As Kaine Leads Rebellion

 

 

After six grueling weeks of deadlock, a handful of Democratic senators broke with party leadership to back a bipartisan deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — a decision that’s infuriated progressives but likely spared millions of federal workers from losing their jobs.

 

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Hillary Clinton’s former running mate, became the crucial eighth Democrat to support the centrist agreement after securing language that protects thousands of federal employees the Trump administration had planned to fire during the closure. Kaine said he clinched the final terms with the White House just minutes before announcing his support in a tense Democratic caucus meeting Sunday night.

 

“This was about saving people’s livelihoods,” Kaine said. “We got the language we needed.”

 

The deal, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), is expected to clear Congress and reach President Trump’s desk this week, reopening the government. But the price of compromise has fractured Democrats. The agreement includes no extension of expiring Obamacare subsidies — a key demand of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) shutdown strategy — though Thune has promised a later vote.

 

Progressive groups are already threatening to primary the eight Democrats and independents who broke ranks, accusing them of caving under pressure. “The strategy wasn’t working,” argued Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who helped secure Thune’s promise of a future health care vote. “We had to face reality.”

 

Behind the scenes, pressure from unions and exhausted federal workers helped tip the balance. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cited pleas from air traffic controllers at Chicago O’Hare who were skipping meals and asking to be furloughed just to find side jobs. “When the people keeping planes safe can’t pay their bills, it’s time to end the shutdown,” Durbin said.

 

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who is retiring next year, helped negotiate the final language alongside Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The funding bill will restore pay to federal employees, extend SNAP food benefits, and fund key departments through January.

 

For Kaine and his allies — all either retiring or safe from reelection until 2028 or beyond — it was a calculated risk. “We didn’t win everything,” Kaine admitted. “But we stopped real harm.”

 

Key Takeaways

• Eight Democratic senators broke ranks to end the record U.S. government shutdown.

• Tim Kaine led the deal after securing protections for thousands of federal workers.

• Progressives furious, calling the move a betrayal as the deal omits Obamacare subsidy extensions.

 

[Source: The Hill]

 

 

Know why? Their excessive salaries were blocked.