Opinion | Democrats Fail Again

Written by Jiwoo Park

Amid the seemingly never-ending government shutdown, a rare Sunday Senate session was called where eight Democratic Senators voted with Republicans on a bill to reopen the government. Without further context, these Senators’ actions seem reasonable and even virtuous. The government shutdown was destroying the economy and lives of federal workers, but considering the origins of the government shutdown and the Democratic Party’s plans, it is clear that this vote was an act of betrayal. 

The government shut down on October 1st due to a Senate disagreement on a budget. Among the numerous disagreements Democrats and Republicans had, the Democratic Party zeroed in on the soon-expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. As one of the only developed nations without universal or accessible health care, millions of Americans rely on the act to receive life-saving health care. Senator Bernie Sanders stated, with this expiration, 20 million Americans will see at least a doubling in their health care premiums with others seeing triplings or quadruplings. To prevent exorbitant health care costs and death, Democrats stood firm in their stance to extend ACA subsidies. 

The party’s main focus was protecting healthcare, so when the Party agreed on a negotiation to reopen the government without extending ACA subsidies, citizens were enraged. The entire point of the government shutdown was to force Republicans to extend subsidies, and instead, the Democrats dragged on the shutdown for a month and then capitulated without getting the one thing they were fighting for. As the minority party in both chambers of Congress and all three branches of government, shutting down the government was the last-resort measure Democrats took to force Republicans to cooperate. If the Democrats were to remain firm, the Republicans would have had to address the health care problems to some degree. With the Democrats giving up, this need disappeared – Republicans can now call the Democratic Party cowards and blame them for the shutdown since to most, the shutdown achieved nothing. During the shutdown, millions of federal workers were furloughed or worked without pay, and the effects were clear. SNAP benefits were cut, airports were slow to function, and the economy took hit after hit. After the Senate vote, citizens wondered: was the shutdown for nothing? 

Of course, the Democratic Party saw some benefits from the compromise. It included “minibus” appropriation bills that would keep certain programs funded, protections and backpay for furloughed or laidoff federal workers, and a continuing resolution through January 30th, 2026. However, the expiring ACA subsidies were the Party’s number one demand. It impacts the most people in drastic ways by exponentially increasing premium costs, delaying care, and increasing deaths. 

At the end of the day, the Democrats failed the people again. A vote for extending the ACA subsidies has been promised, and the eight Senate Democrats that voted with Republicans stated their hope for Republican Senators to extend subsidies before they officially expire. This hope, however, is purely based on assumption and anticipation: no Republican representative has shown intentions to work with Democrats to resolve the health care issue. Republicans have simply criticized the Affordable Care Act with no productive discourse or suggestions for improvement. 

This shutdown vote highlights the many failures of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party needs better leadership and reconnection with the average American. The Party’s inability to have a unanimous vote proves that the Party is currently unable to be united. Chuck Schumer, the minority leader of the Senate, was unable to organize his own party. Schumer has faced criticism for his incoherent strategies, alienation of the Party’s progressive base, and poor communication in the past. This shutdown vote adds another reason for critics to call for his resignation. Additionally, the eight Senate Democrats who voted with Republicans are not up for reelection in 2026, meaning that the people do not hold the power to vote them out of office for their cowardly actions. They voted against the people’s interest and did not bear any consequences. It feels as if the average American is powerless and that representatives are not serving their constituents. 

The Republican Party has proven that their only concern is implementing their agenda, and currently, we are seeing their agenda unfold without real opposition. The Democratic Party is in dire need of better leadership and stronger unity to be a real opposition force against the dominant Republican Party.