Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned he provided Democrats a chance to deal with their largest precedence in an effort to finish the federal government shutdown — however 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.
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“I’ve instructed them. I mentioned, and I’ve mentioned, ‘We’re keen to have the dialog.’ I’ve mentioned, ‘If you happen to want a vote, we are able to assure you get a vote by a date sure.’ In some unspecified time in the future Democrats must take sure for a solution,” Thune mentioned within the interview, which was taped Wednesday.
In the meantime, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer instructed reporters Thursday afternoon that Republicans didn’t supply 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 supply. “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 People to unlock their help 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 anticipated to depart Washington later within the day, all however guaranteeing 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 will fund the Division of Protection for the total calendar 12 months and guarantee paychecks for the troops — nonetheless, Democrats blocked the chamber from shifting ahead on with debate on the invoice.
Reopening the federal government is an important 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 imagine, however it has to incorporate reforms, and may I assure an end result? No. And that is what individuals need 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 can 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 Pictures
Requested about Thune’s feedback, Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated Thursday morning that no well being care outcomes might be assured.
“It isn’t doable for Chief Thune to ensure to Chuck Schumer some end result on that, as a result of we’ve not completed these deliberations. I imply, that is simply so simple as it’s,” Johnson mentioned Thursday morning.
There may be bipartisan curiosity, Thune mentioned, in maintaining well being care prices down. However modifications to this system should 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 are usually not swayed by the promise of negotiations sooner or later — pushing for an settlement that addresses well being care and in addition reopens the federal government.
“The American individuals are going through some of the devastating crises they’ve confronted by way of value, 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 whole lot of hurt to the American individuals,” he mentioned.
ABC Information’ Lauren Peller contributed to this report.
