Senate Majority Leader John Thune is dismissing Democratic demands for health care reform as unrealistic, but maintains that a government shutdown can still be averted. In a Thursday interview with the Associated Press, the South Dakota Republican said Democrats must scale back their expectations if Congress is to reach a deal before Wednesday’s funding deadline.
Thune’s remarks come amid escalating tensions over federal spending and health care policy, with no clear resolution in sight. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other party leaders have not indicated any willingness to compromise.
Why It Matters
The looming shutdown threatens to disrupt federal operations and potentially lead to permanent layoffs, according to a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget. The standoff reflects deep partisan divides over health care and fiscal priorities, with Democrats pushing to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse recent GOP-backed tax provisions. The outcome could impact millions of Americans who rely on federal programs and insurance marketplaces, as well as the broader economy.
What To Know
Thune criticized Democratic proposals to immediately renew health insurance subsidies and undo health-related provisions in the summer’s GOP tax bill. He argued that such demands are politically untenable and warned that without compromise, a shutdown is likely to occur.
Federal funding expires Wednesday at midnight. Democrats have held firm on their position despite a White House memo urging agencies to prepare for “reductions in force,” which could result in thousands of permanent layoffs. Schumer called the memo a scare tactic and vowed to pursue legal challenges if the firings occur.
Thune suggested a seven-week “clean” funding bill, already passed by the House, could buy time for further negotiations. He said the Senate needs at least seven Democratic votes to reach the 60-vote threshold, acknowledging that two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul, have opposed the measure.
Thune proposed passing individual bipartisan bills to fund specific agencies for the next year, but emphasized that such a strategy requires cooperation from both parties. Democrats have expressed frustration over a lack of outreach from Thune and the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers will have just over 24 hours to act once the Senate reconvenes. Thune said he plans to reintroduce previously rejected bills and hopes for a shift in tone. “Cooler heads will prevail,” he said, warning that shutdowns hurt the public most.
Expanded subsidies under the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at year’s end. Thune acknowledged that some Republicans support maintaining them, but insisted that reforms must accompany any extension—a condition that Democrats are likely to resist.
What People Are Saying
Senator John Thune told the Associated Press: "I’m a big believer that there’s always a way out. And I think there are off-ramps here, but I don’t think that the negotiating position, at least at the moment, that the Democrats are trying to exert here is going to get you there.”
He added that he hopes “cooler heads will prevail.”
“I don’t think shutdowns benefit anybody, least of all the American people,” Thune said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, on X: “House Republicans have already done the job of passing a clean, bipartisan bill to keep the government open. Now it’s up to Senate Democrats, who have long said shutdowns are bad and hurt people, to vote to fund the American government, or shut it down because they want to restore taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens.”
What Happens Next
With the Senate returning Monday and the shutdown deadline looming Wednesday night, negotiations are expected to intensify. Thune plans to revive failed bills and push for bipartisan support, while Democrats remain under pressure from their base to hold firm. The following 72 hours will determine whether Congress can avert another costly impasse.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
Update 9/26/25, 9:14 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
