Thune says he offered Democrats a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end government shutdown [View all]

Source: ABC News

October 16, 2025, 3:04 PM


Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he offered Democrats an opportunity to address their biggest priority in an effort to end the government shutdown -- but it was not enough to end the stalemate.

Thune, during an interview on MSNBC that aired Thursday morning, said he has offered Democrats a vote on extending the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, but that he couldn't guarantee an outcome. Thune said he won't negotiate on the details of an Obamacare subsidies deal until the government reopens.

"I've told them. I said, and I've said, 'We are willing to have the conversation.' I've said, 'If you need a vote, we can guarantee you get a vote by a date certain.' At some point Democrats have to take yes for an answer," Thune said in the interview, which was taped Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Thursday afternoon that Republicans did not offer any proposal to vote to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, putting congressional leaders at odds as the shutdown continues. "Look, we're not negotiating in public. Plain and simple," Schumer said when asked if Thune had made the offer. "Leader Thune has not come to me with any proposal at this point."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/thune-offered-democrats-vote-obamacare-subsidies-end-government/story?id=126578971