Senate Democrats are expected to block another government funding measure on Friday, signaling that the party intends to continue the shutdown until it secures new concessions on health care subsidies and federal spending priorities.

A Thursday closed-door meeting reportedly left Senate Democrats “coalescing around a unified strategy rather than splintering into factions,” according to Semafor.

While several Democrats privately expressed interest in ending the shutdown, sources told the outlet that there likely are not enough votes to pass a funding measure.

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Lawmakers familiar with the discussions said Democrats plan to use the shutdown to press for an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, which are scheduled to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans previously stated that they would only consider health care subsidy discussions once the government is funded.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has since indicated that he is open to guaranteeing a vote on the ACA subsidy extension but not committing to a specific outcome, Semafor reported.

Thune outlined his strategy following a separate Republican meeting Thursday, according to Politico.

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He plans to bring the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) back to the floor for another vote.

The proposal, previously blocked multiple times by Senate Democrats, would be amended to include a later expiration date and a “negotiated package of three full-year spending bills.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said there may also be support for recalling federal employees who were subject to reductions in force (RIF) during the shutdown.

“Those who were RIF’d during the shutdown should be recalled,” she told reporters.

Democrats, however, appeared firm in their position heading into Friday’s vote.

Several members of the caucus said they are committed to remaining unified until their demands on health care and worker protections are addressed.

“We know what our mission is to try to take the message from Tuesday that people want us to fight to keep costs down. And we want to stay together,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

“So we’re working that through.”

Murphy said the party’s internal discussions were aimed at maintaining unity during negotiations.

“It makes a lot more sense for us to come together on a joint strategy than have division in the caucus. And we’re a lot closer to that,” he said.

Sen Elizabeth Warren said “Voters want Democrats to fight for lower costs and to make their lives better. That’s the fight Americans want us to wage: a fight for affordability. It’s as simple as that.”

Here’s the lesson from the elections last night:

Voters want Democrats to fight for lower costs and to make their lives better.

That’s the fight Americans want us to wage: a fight for affordability. It’s as simple as that. pic.twitter.com/3l1ACR11V6

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 5, 2025

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) echoed that message, saying Democrats intend to prioritize health care and the well-being of federal workers.

“We’re unified in how we’re going to move forward,” Duckworth said.

“The key part of it is health care and how we take care of our federal workers.”

Tammy Duckworth has voted to shut down the government 14 times but she’s blaming Republican’s?

What a dishonest woman, and an embarrassment to Illinois.

— Busta Narrative (@BustaNarrative) November 5, 2025

Thune noted that some Democrats have privately expressed frustration with the prolonged shutdown but are facing internal pressure not to break ranks.

“There are Democrats who are inclined to do the right thing. They’re under an enormous amount of pressure from the left,” Thune said.

“There are a few who really want to, in my view, do the right thing and get this over with.”

The ongoing standoff leaves federal operations in a holding pattern, with both parties acknowledging that significant disagreements remain over the structure of future spending bills.

Senate Dems BLOCKED our 14th vote to end the Schumer Shutdown.

Final vote: 54-44.

It takes 60 votes to pass a funding bill, unless there’s a change to the filibuster.

Spoke on that earlier today. https://t.co/i5Rlo8GQkL pic.twitter.com/t9UgWueyQK

— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) November 4, 2025

Friday’s vote is expected to determine whether the impasse deepens or if negotiations will move toward a resolution.

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