Government shutdown: Senate vote dynamics today as Schumer ties reopening plan to ACA tax credits

The U.S. government remains shuttered heading into the weekend, with Senate leaders sparring over how—and when—to stage the next vote to reopen federal agencies. The latest development: Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are pressing a plan to end the shutdown in exchange for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace tax credits. Republican leaders have rejected that linkage so far, leaving today’s Senate schedule fluid and the shutdown—already the longest on record—still unresolved.

Where the Senate vote stands today

Senate floor discussions late Friday and into Saturday signaled that another procedural vote could happen as soon as today, but no final time had been locked in at the start of the day. Republicans argue the chamber should first pass a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) with no policy riders, then negotiate healthcare separately. Democrats counter that extending ACA tax credits is a core affordability issue that must move with the funding bill.

Key dynamics to watch on the floor today:

• What’s the question? Expect a motion to proceed or a cloture test on a short-term CR. The bar is 60 votes, so a handful of cross-party defections would be decisive.

• Any side votes? Republicans have floated targeted pay or operations bills; Democrats say those carve-outs would sap urgency from a full reopening.

• House factor: Even if the Senate advances a plan today, the House’s posture will determine whether any agreement can reach the President’s desk quickly.

Schumer’s offer: reopen the government and extend ACA tax credits

At the center of the Democratic position is a clean, short-term CR paired with a one-year extension of the enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Those subsidies, which cap what households pay for marketplace coverage as a share of income, are set to lapse—raising premiums for millions absent congressional action. Democrats frame the extension as immediate pocketbook relief that belongs in a near-term deal. Republicans insist healthcare policy should not be a condition for reopening the government.

What the offer would do:

• End the shutdown now: Fund agencies while broader talks continue.

• Keep premiums in check for 2026 plan year: Avoid a subsidy cliff that would hit middle-income, older, and rural enrollees hardest.

• Set up longer talks: A bipartisan forum on healthcare costs has been floated to de-escalate the fight after agencies reopen.

Why the government is shut down

The shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to pass full-year appropriations or a stopgap bill for the new fiscal year. A series of short-term measures had kept agencies open through March, but they expired without a consensus path for FY2026. The dispute hardened around healthcare: Democrats want an ACA tax-credit extension in the same vehicle as a CR; Republicans want a policy-free funding bill first. With neither side budging—and the Senate’s 60-vote threshold in play—the impasse has persisted for more than five weeks, halting or curtailing services across multiple agencies.

Is the government shutdown over? When will it end?

No—federal agencies remain closed or partially closed today. The shutdown will end only when both chambers pass, and the President signs, either a CR or full-year appropriations. The fastest plausible off-ramp is a narrow deal in the Senate that can clear the House quickly. If party leaders firm up a vote today and it succeeds, agencies could begin reopening within 24–48 hours of enactment. If it fails, the fight likely stretches into next week.

What’s being affected right now

• Air travel: Reduced staffing and knock-on effects have prompted cancellations and delays at major hubs, with the FAA trimming capacity to maintain safety margins.

• Safety-net programs: Core entitlements continue, but some nutrition and community-health programs face disruptions or delayed payments.

• Research and culture: Smithsonian museums and several federal research operations remain closed or curtailed.

• Federal workforce: Roughly 900,000 employees are furloughed; more than two million deemed essential are working without pay until funding resumes.

Government shutdown vote today: what to watch by the clock

• Morning/early afternoon (ET): Watch for a live notice from the Senate floor on whether a motion to proceed will be recognized today.

• Late afternoon (ET): If leaders strike a time agreement, a test vote could land here. A successful cloture test would set up final passage within hours.

• Evening (ET) / overnight (UK GMT): If the Senate advances a CR paired with an ACA tax-credit extension, attention shifts instantly to the House.

Note: Schedules can slip; floor timing is often contingent on unanimous-consent agreements.

FAQs: quick answers to your searches

• Is the government shutdown over? No.

• When is the next vote to reopen the government? Senate leaders indicated it could be today, but timing remains tentative until formally noticed.

• Why is the government shut down? A funding lapse driven by disagreement over pairing a short-term CR with a one-year extension of ACA premium tax credits.

• Is this the longest government shutdown in U.S. history? Yes, as of this weekend it has exceeded prior records.

• When will the government shutdown end? When a CR or full-year funding clears both chambers and is signed; today’s Senate maneuvers are the pivotal near-term test.

The road ahead

If Republicans and Democrats coalesce around a narrowly tailored package—funding plus a one-year ACA tax-credit extension—the Senate could unlock a bipartisan path today. Failure to reach 60 votes would push negotiations into another week of agency closures, escalating travel and service disruptions and increasing pressure on both parties. All eyes now are on whether Senate leaders can translate today’s talks into an actual vote—and whether the House will follow suit without changes that unravel the deal.