Democrat Jeanne Shaheen backs GOP deal to reopen government: ‘People are counting on us'

WASHINGTON, DC: Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) crossed the aisle Sunday night and helped Republicans push through a deal to reopen the government.

Shaheen took to X to explain why she broke from the Democratic line and backed the plan she helped broker with Senator Angus King (I-ME) and fellow New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan. The deal reopened the federal government after more than 40 days of shutdown.

“For over a month, I’ve made clear that my priorities are to both reopen government and extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits,” Shaheen wrote. “This is our best path toward accomplishing both of these goals.”

Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s statement

The post came with a full statement.

“Today, the Senate voted to reopen the government and took a big step forward toward protecting the health care of tens of millions of Americans,” it began. “This agreement gives Democrats control of the Senate floor—at a time when Republicans control every level of power—on one of our top legislative priorities: extending the enhanced premium tax credits to make health care more affordable for millions of Americans.”

Shaheen, who has spent years as the lead sponsor of legislation to extend those ACA subsidies, insisted this wasn’t a fluke.

“Let’s be clear: this is a major step that was not predetermined,” she said. “There is no one in the Senate who wants to see these tax credits extended more than me. But weeks of negotiations with Republicans made it clear that they would not address health care as part of shutdown talks — and that waiting longer would only prolong the pain Americans are feeling.”

Shaheen also highlighted the immediate benefits of the agreement, especially for thousands of federal workers who had spent weeks in limbo.

“This agreement reinstates thousands of fired federal workers and guarantees back pay to more than one million others,” she said. “And critically, it restores a bipartisan appropriations process, including funds for SNAP, WIC, and veterans’ health care.”

“With the government reopened, it’s time to move quickly to ensure we keep health care premiums from skyrocketing,” she added. “The American people are counting on us to get this done — and they will remember next November if my Republican colleagues block those efforts.”

Later, on MSNBC, Shaheen doubled down, calling the deal “the first step” and reaffirming her commitment to extending ACA tax credits.

Other Democrats who backed the deal

Shaheen wasn’t alone in breaking ranks. Six other Senate Democrats joined her and Senator King in voting to advance the funding deal. The group included Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Dick Durbin (IL), John Fetterman (PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), and Jacky Rosen (NV).

The bipartisan bloc said reopening the government outweighed party loyalty after a 40-day shutdown that froze paychecks, disrupted essential services, and left federal employees nationwide in limbo.

Senator Durbin admitted the bill “was not perfect but took important steps to reduce the shutdown’s harm.” Senator Kaine said it would “protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those wrongfully terminated, and ensure back pay.”

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