Thune says he offered Democrats a ‘guarantee’ for a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdown

Published October 16, 2025 11:43am ET



Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on Wednesday revealed he made Democratic leadership an offer to end the government shutdown, which has now reached its 16th day.

Under the terms of the deal, Thune said he pledged to open up a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. Republicans have refused to attach the tax credits to a “clean” continuing resolution to open the government up, triggering Senate Democrats’ move to vote down the House-passed CR for the ninth time on Wednesday. 

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