After a 43-day shutdown last year, many lawmakers saw real human costs — federal workers without pay and agencies disrupted — and want to avoid a repeat.
Instead of threatening another shutdown, most Senate Democrats are trying to negotiate funding bills without shutting the government down. They’re pushing specific spending plans for parts of the government and looking for ways to keep operations open.
Some progressives still see leverage in a funding fight, especially over issues like health care subsidies. But Democratic leaders, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, want to find other ways to press their priorities without forcing another shutdown.
Lawmakers still face a January funding deadline, and they must pass more spending bills or a short-term extension to avoid a government funding lapse.
