‘Maybe we can figure it out over the barbecue’: Democrats split on shutdown threat as centrists fear ‘falling into GOP trap’

Congressional Democrats are deeply split over whether to force a government shutdown if Republicans refuse to address expiring health care benefits. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are taking a hard stance on government funding talks, demanding major deals on health care before agreeing to keep the government open past September 30.

The split centers on the coming end of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and deep cuts to Medicaid that Republicans passed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Democrats broadly agree these changes will hurt millions of Americans with higher health care costs, but they disagree on strategy. Some centrist Democrats worry their party could be blamed for a shutdown, while progressive members push for a more confrontational approach.