On November 7, 2025, Senate Democrats introduced a proposal aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, which includes a one-year extension of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., characterized the proposal as a straightforward compromise, featuring a 'clean' continuing resolution to maintain current spending levels alongside a package of bipartisan appropriations bills intended to fund certain government departments for the entire fiscal year.

Schumer emphasized the urgency of addressing health care affordability, stating that the short-term extension of ACA funding is crucial to prevent significant insurance cost increases for millions of Americans enrolled in the program. He also proposed the establishment of a bipartisan committee to negotiate a more sustainable solution for health care funding in the future. Schumer urged Republican senators to accept the proposal, asserting that the responsibility to move forward now lies with them.

In contrast, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., rejected the Democratic offer, labeling it a 'nonstarter.' He argued that discussions regarding the ACA extension should only take place after the government is reopened. Thune stated, 'We need to vote to open the government — and there is a proposal out there to do that — and then we can have this whole conversation about health care.'

The proposal was developed by Senator Gary Peters, D-Mich., who engaged in discussions with both Democratic and Republican colleagues to explore options for reopening the government. Despite the Democrats' willingness to compromise from their initial demands, which included a permanent extension of ACA funds and the repeal of Medicaid cuts from the Trump administration, Republican senators swiftly rejected the offer. Senator Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has previously supported ACA funding, opposed the proposal due to the lack of restrictions on the funds.

Republican senators, including Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized the Democratic plan, with Graham describing it as 'political terrorism.' Senator John Kennedy, R-La., dismissed it as 'stupid.' Even if the Senate were to pass the measure, it would still require approval from the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated uncertainty regarding the House's support for the health care funding extension, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has previously rejected a one-year ACA funding extension, advocating instead for a more comprehensive solution. The ongoing stalemate has seen Democrats block the continuing resolution 14 times, with further votes anticipated.