Bernie Sanders urges Democrats to hold firm in government shutdown talks

Sen. Bernie Sanders addresses a press conference at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

A few hours before the start of the first major election campaign since last year’s victory by Donald Trump, Senator Bernie Sanders clearly warned Democrats about closed-door negotiations on how to overcome the government shutdown.

In a tense three-hour Capitol Hill meeting on Tuesday, Sanders urged Democrats not to yield to Republicans until they achieve tangible progress on health care, citing data from a new poll that suggests voters will punish the party for concessions without real gains.

By midweek, Sanders and his allies in Congress called Democratic victories – notably in Virginia, where many federal workers had returned from furloughs – some of the strongest evidence that the fight must continue.

“It would be very strange if, in the wake of the American people rewarding Democrats for speaking up and fighting, we gave in without getting anything.”

During a private call among House leaders on Wednesday, they urged centrists to call their Senate colleagues and persuade them to back a unified stance against any expansion of the deal. The House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, hinted at pressure from the Senate and external Democratic groups which were also intensifying their efforts.

Spurred by events in the capital battlefield, Democrats in the Senate took note of Trump’s reaction, who privately told a group of Republican senators that their party is “politically dying” because of the shutdown. Publicly, Trump acknowledged that the shutdown had been a “major factor” in the negative perception of Republicans.

Some of his allies in Congress backed this assessment. Senator Jim Jastis told CNN: “Look, if not – you’re living in a cave. Of course, that’s how it was.” He added that everyday Americans are watching how the shutdown unfolds and warned: “You people are waffling. Fix this.”

Election Night Fallout and Next Steps

Democratic wins in the late-night tallies further pushed Washington in both parties, as the pain for millions of Americans caused by the shutdown continues to mount. It remains unclear whether this will radically change the approach of either side: several dozen centrist Democrats are continuing negotiations with Republicans to end the 36-day standoff, possibly conditioned on extending the current health-care programs.

Democrats focused on extending Obamacare subsidies, which they see as a key element in countering the shutdown. It is important to preserve protections for the public and clearly articulated funding – so that any deal truly improves health care, rather than simply allowing votes without a real path to results.

“Last night was a good night, but it was only one night of the year,” said Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona when asked by CNN about the elections and the possibility of supporting health care, without giving a direct answer. He noted that Democrats are seeking a “smart path forward” with the GOP.

Senator Gary Peters, who will soon leave his post as a Democrat from Michigan, stressed that many party members feel that messages are getting through, and that Republicans are now in a weaker position than before.

“I don’t feel the situation has radically changed,” added Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado, referring to Tuesday’s election results.

About ten centrist senators privately expressed willingness to consider the proposed path out of the stalemate – continuing expanded Obamacare subsidies. This group, along with several Republicans, continues active negotiations that could lead to reopening the government, according to sources.

“This will end quickly; otherwise we’ll be looking at each other for another week”

Despite the uncertainty, House Speaker Mike Johnson and his team have bolstered their resistance to such a plan, according to several sources from the Republican Party.

Pressure again focused on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has not yet stated a clear position on negotiations. To intensify the pressure, Sanders appeared at Schumer’s press conference early Wednesday, but he himself said the party should craft a firm message after Election Night.

“People want Democrats to stand up and keep fighting”

“We want – and must – to address Americans’ health-care needs. Republicans must sit down at the table and talk to us about this, and I agree with Bernie Sanders: the path to a solution is when Trump sits down at the table with Jeffries and with me”

Although the real end of a potential compromise has not yet been determined, the White House remains cautious: proposals to end the filibuster do not have clear backing within the Republican Party, but the issue of maintaining open dialogue on health care remains central to politicians.

“A winning Trump is less dangerous than a defeated one. People forget that. If Republicans see that they can lose at the polls, the pressure to end the filibuster from him will be enormous”

CNN analysts sum up: the current tension reflects a trend but does not change the dynamics of Democratic support, who seek to end the government shutdown with a clear plan for health care and access to medical services for citizens.