January 1, Will Moderate Senate Dems Break On Shutdown?

Wyatt’s Take

• Senate Republicans are courting Democrat moderates to reopen the government.
• Several Dem senators show signs they could cross the aisle.
• Big decisions ahead may decide if the shutdown ends soon.

Senate Republicans need five more Democrat votes to pass a bill to reopen the government. Party leaders believe some moderates could be persuaded to vote with them.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said

“There’s a good amount of outreach going on and conversations being held. We’ll see where it goes.”

Three Democrat-aligned senators—John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Angus King—already voted with Republicans to keep things running.

Some eyes are on Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

While she recently voted no on the Republicans’ bill, she has supported GOP-led efforts before.

She said she wants to reach

“common ground.”

She explained her recent no vote by saying

“I thought getting this done so that now we can hopefully get back to the negotiating table was the best approach.”

Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who won’t seek re-election, slammed the Republican bill but expressed openness to working with both sides, noting the need for a deal that helps communities and keeps health care costs in check.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, also from New Hampshire, voted for the last GOP CR in March. She called for bipartisanship to reopen the government and ease rising health costs.

Ruben Gallego from Arizona is seen as a possible swing vote, though he criticized Republicans for the shutdown and said

“Why are they choosing to let costs skyrocket?”

He hasn’t shown public signs of reaching across the aisle yet.

Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia voted no before but signaled willingness to work with Republicans to end the shutdown, with a special focus on health care costs for Georgia families.

With elections coming, the pressure is on these Democrats. Their decisions could shape how soon federal workers get back on the job.

Stay tuned as both sides keep working to end the shutdown and see if any more Democrat senators switch sides.

Wyatt Matters

Middle America knows gridlock in D.C. hits regular folks first—paychecks, healthcare, and stability for families all hang in the balance. Watching senators put country before party speaks to the values that keep our communities strong.

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