Here's what 'losing' shutdown looks like for Democrats

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By Nia-Malika Henderson / Bloomberg Opinion

And just like that, the longest government shutdown in history is poised to end. Republicans refused to extend health care subsidies for 20 million Americans, and, after 41 days and deep cuts to the federal food assistance program, enough Democrats crossed the aisle to end the standoff.

This was not an entirely unexpected outcome given the GOP’s commitment to starving the federal government and tanking the Affordable Care Act. Democrats took a big risk and learned how difficult it is to win a game of chicken against opponents who don’t mind crashing the car. But in losing this battle, Democrats have won a larger and politically important fight. That is the messaging fight over the cost of living, particularly health care, that will be central to the midterm elections in 2026.

Last week’s election results, with centrist and progressive candidates winning on affordability, showed how salient this issue is. And Democrats, in their anger with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, must not lose sight of this. Rather than train their ire on Schumer, Congressional Democrats — and the Democratic posting class — should keep the focus on Republicans. (More on Schumer later).

The shutdown revealed a level of cruelty in the party in power. The Trump administration fired federal workers; fought court orders that mandated the continuation of SNAP benefits for 42 million needy Americans; and refused to ensure relief for Americans already getting hit with impending health insurance price hikes, premiums are set to double if the covid-era subsidies expire. Now it’s Republicans who must contend with the political blowback.

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