Shutdown Progress in Doubt After Wins  11/06 06:09

   Elections this week that energized Democrats and angered President Donald 
Trump have cast a chill over efforts to end the record-breaking government 
shutdown, raising fresh doubts about the possibility of a breakthrough despite 
the punishing toll of federal closures on the country.

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elections this week that energized Democrats and angered 
President Donald Trump have cast a chill over efforts to end the 
record-breaking government shutdown, raising fresh doubts about the possibility 
of a breakthrough despite the punishing toll of federal closures on the country.

   Trump has increased pressure on Senate Republicans to end the shutdown -- 
now at 37 days, the longest in U.S. history -- calling it a "big factor, 
negative" in the poor GOP showings across the country. Democrats saw Trump's 
comments as a reason to hold firm, believing his involvement in talks could 
lead to a deal on extending health care subsidies, a key sticking point to win 
their support.

   Trump is refusing to meet with Democrats, insisting they must open the 
government first. But complicating the GOP's strategy, Trump is increasingly 
fixated instead on pushing Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster to speed 
reopening -- a step that many GOP senators reject out of hand. He kept up the 
pressure in a video Wednesday evening, saying the Senate's 60-vote threshold to 
pass legislation should be "terminated."

   "This is much bigger than the shutdown," Trump said. "This is the survival 
of our country."

   Senate Democrats face pressures of their own, both from unions eager for the 
shutdown to end and from allied groups that want them to hold firm. Many see 
the Democrats' decisive gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey as 
validation of their strategy to hold the government closed until expiring 
health care subsidies are addressed.

   "It would be very strange for the American people to have weighed in, in 
support of Democrats standing up and fighting for them, and within days for us 
to surrender without having achieved any of the things that we've been fighting 
for," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

   Meanwhile, talks grind on, but the shutdown's toll continues to deepen. On 
Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to reduce air 
traffic by 10% across 40 high-volume markets beginning Friday morning to 
maintain safety amid staffing shortages. Millions of people have already been 
affected by halted government programs and missed federal paychecks -- with 
more expected as another round of paydays approaches next week.

   Progressives see election wins as reason to fight

   Grassroots Democratic groups nationwide touted Tuesday's election results as 
voter approval of the shutdown strategy -- and warned lawmakers against cutting 
a deal too soon.

   "Moderate Senate Democrats who are looking for an off-ramp right now are 
completely missing the moment," said Katie Bethell, political director of 
MoveOn, a progressive group. "Voters have sent a resounding message: We want 
leaders who fight for us, and we want solutions that make life more affordable."

   Some Senate Democrats echoed that sentiment. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont 
independent who caucuses with Democrats and a leading voice in the progressive 
movement, said Democrats "have got to remain strong" and should secure 
assurances on extending health care subsidies -- including "a commitment from 
the speaker of the House that he will support the legislation, and that the 
president will sign."

   Still, how firmly the party remains dug in remains to be seen. Some 
Democrats have been working with Republicans to find a way out of the standoff, 
and they held firm after the election that it had not impacted their approach.

   "I don't feel that the elections changed where I was," said Sen. John 
Hickenlooper, D-Colo. "I still feel I want to get out of the shutdown."

   Some Republicans also shared in Trump's concerns that the shutdown is 
becoming a drag on the party.

   "Polls show that most voters blame Republicans more than Democrats," said 
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican. "That's understandable given who 
controls the levers of power."

   Trump sets another shutdown record

   While some Democrats saw Trump's comments on the shutdown Wednesday as 
evidence that he'd soon get more involved, he's largely stayed out of the fray. 
Instead, the talks have intensified among a loose coalition of centrist 
senators trying to negotiate an end to the shutdown.

   Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage 
expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. 
But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his 
word, particularly after his administration restricted SNAP food aid despite 
court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

   Trump's approach to the shutdown stands in marked contrast to his first 
term, when the government was partially closed for 35 days over his demands for 
money to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall. At that time, he met publicly and 
negotiated with congressional leaders. Unable to secure the money, he relented 
in 2019.

   This time, it's not just Trump declining to engage in talks. The 
congressional leaders are at a standoff, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., 
sent lawmakers home in September after they approved their own funding bill, 
refusing further negotiations.

   A "sad landmark," Johnson said. He dismissed the party's election losses and 
said he is looking forward to a midterm election in 2026 that will more reflect 
Trump's tenure.

   In the meantime, food aid, child care money and countless other government 
services are being seriously interrupted. Hundreds of thousands of federal 
workers have been furloughed or are expected to go to work without pay.

   Senators search for potential deal

   Central to any resolution will be a series of agreements that would need to 
be upheld not only by the Senate but also by the House and the White House, 
which is not at all certain in Washington.

   Senators from both major parties, particularly the members of the powerful 
Appropriations Committee, are pushing to ensure the normal government funding 
process in Congress can be put back on track. Among the goals is guaranteeing 
upcoming votes on a smaller package of bills to fund various aspects of 
government such as agricultural programs and military construction projects at 
bases.

   More difficult, a substantial number of senators also want some resolution 
to the standoff over the funding for the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are 
set to expire at year's end.

   With insurance premium notices being sent, millions of people are 
experiencing sticker shock on skyrocketing prices. The loss of enhanced federal 
subsidies, which were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and come in the 
form of tax credits, are expected to leave many people unable to buy health 
insurance.

   Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has promised Democrats at least a 
vote on their preferred health care proposal, on a date certain, as part of any 
deal to reopen government. But that's not enough for some senators, who see the 
health care deadlock as part of their broader concerns with Trump's direction 
for the country.