Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned he provided Democrats a possibility to deal with their greatest precedence in an effort to finish the federal government shutdown — nevertheless it was not sufficient to finish the stalemate.
Thune, during an interview on MSNBC that aired Thursday morning, mentioned he has provided Democrats a vote on extending the Reasonably priced Care Act premium subsidies, however that he could not assure an end result. Thune mentioned he will not negotiate on the main points of an Obamacare subsidies deal till the federal government reopens.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune speaks to reporters as Senate Republican leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
“I’ve advised them. I mentioned, and I’ve mentioned, ‘We’re prepared to have the dialog.’ I’ve mentioned, ‘Should you want a vote, we are able to assure you get a vote by a date sure.’ Sooner or later Democrats must take sure for a solution,” Thune mentioned within the interview, which was taped Wednesday.
In the meantime, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer advised reporters Thursday afternoon that Republicans didn’t provide any proposal to vote to increase the Reasonably priced Care Act subsidies, placing congressional leaders at odds because the shutdown continues.
“Look, we’re not negotiating in public. Plain and easy,” Schumer mentioned when requested if Thune had made the provide. “Chief Thune has not come to me with any proposal at this level.”
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters, as Senate Democratic leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Senate Democrats have been demanding fixes to well being care to keep away from a spike in premiums for a lot of low- and middle-income Individuals to unlock their assist for funding the federal government. Democrats have been unwavering of their calls for because the shutdown drags on into its sixteenth day.
The Senate on Thursday failed for a tenth time to advance the GOP’s authorities funding invoice. The Senate is predicted to depart Washington later within the day, all however making certain the federal government shutdown will final till at the least Monday.
Thune tried a brand new tactic in a Thursday afternoon vote with a procedural vote on a invoice that might fund the Division of Protection for the total calendar yr and guarantee paychecks for the troops — nonetheless, Democrats blocked the chamber from transferring ahead on with debate on the invoice.
Reopening the federal government is a vital first step to proceed discussions about reforms to well being care, Thune mentioned on MSNBC. He dedicated to conversations, however not an end result.
“There’s a path ahead, I consider, nevertheless it has to incorporate reforms, and might I assure an end result? No. And that is what folks wish to see — assure us that that is going to go,” Thune mentioned. “I am unable to assure it will go. I can assure you that there will probably be a course of and you’re going to get a vote.”
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson solutions questions throughout a press convention on day 16 of the federal government shutdown, on the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 16, 2025.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs
Requested about Thune’s feedback, Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated Thursday morning that no well being care outcomes will be assured.
“It is not doable for Chief Thune to ensure to Chuck Schumer some end result on that, as a result of we have not completed these deliberations. I imply, that is simply so simple as it’s,” Johnson mentioned Thursday morning.
There’s bipartisan curiosity, Thune mentioned, in preserving well being care prices down. However modifications to this system have to be made, and negotiations on these modifications begin with opening the federal government, Thune mentioned.
Republicans have maintained they won’t negotiate with Democrats whereas the federal government is shut down. However Democrats will not be swayed by the promise of negotiations sooner or later — pushing for an settlement that addresses well being care and likewise reopens the federal government.
“The American individuals are dealing with one of the crucial devastating crises they’ve confronted by way of price, and we nonetheless haven’t heard crickets of any negotiation with Johnson or with Thune,” Schumer mentioned Thursday.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune speaks to reporters as Senate Republican leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Thune could not assure the shutdown would finish any time quickly. When requested if he thought it might be over by Thanksgiving, Thune did not commit.
“I hope it does not final by way of Thanksgiving, as a result of that is going to be a variety of hurt to the American folks,” he mentioned.
ABC Information’ Lauren Peller contributed to this report.
