Why Bernie Sanders called Democrats voting with Trump’s Republicans to end government shutdown a very bad night and warned millions could lose health care as Senate nears deal

As the US government shutdown enters its 40th day, Senator Bernie Sanders strongly criticized eight Democrats who voted with Republicans to advance a continuing resolution, calling the move “a very, very bad vote” that threatens millions of Americans’ health care and benefits.

A breakthrough came after a group of centrist Democrats negotiated a deal to reopen the government if Republicans promise to hold a vote on expiring healthcare subsidies by December.

Sanders warned that the vote could lead to skyrocketing health care premiums, with some Americans facing costs that double, triple, or even quadruple. “People can’t afford that when we are already paying the highest prices in the world for health care,” Sanders said.


The senator also highlighted the human toll of rolling back Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, noting that studies estimate around 15 million people could lose coverage, potentially resulting in 50,000 unnecessary deaths each year. “And all of that was done to give a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent,” Sanders added.

Sanders referenced the recent elections as a mandate from the American people to resist what he called “Trumpism” and its policies targeting working-class families.“The election showed is that the American people want us to stand up to Trumpism, to his war against working-class people, to his authoritarianism. That is what the American people wanted.”

The senator urged lawmakers to continue fighting to protect health care access and called for the United States to join other major nations in guaranteeing health care for all. “We have a lot of work to do. But to be honest with you, tonight was not a good night,” Sanders concluded.

What happened during the voting

The US Senate has reportedly reached a deal to reopen the government after a 40-day federal shutdown, the longest in US history. According to multiple US media outlets, the breakthrough came after intensive negotiations led by New Hampshire Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Maine’s Angus King.

The trio worked on behalf of Democrats to broker an agreement that would fund the government through January 30, rehire federal employees, and secure long-term funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through fiscal year 2026.

At least eight members of the Democratic caucus are reportedly backing the deal, which, if passed in the Senate, will move to the House before being sent to President Donald Trump for approval.

How did the government shutdown start?

The federal government shutdown began more than six weeks ago after Congress failed to pass a funding bill before the September 30 deadline. The deadlock centered on deep divisions over spending priorities, health care funding, and proposed tax and entitlement reforms. Republicans pushed for a temporary spending package that included limits on federal social programs and health subsidies, while Democrats demanded stronger protections for the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and food assistance programs.

As the shutdown stretches into its sixth week, federal employees remain furloughed or working without pay, and essential services are under strain.

The shutdown, now the longest in US history, has sparked mounting concerns about its impact on families, public services, and the economy, amplifying the urgency for a bipartisan resolution.