Ending the shutdown deepens tensions within the Democratic Party: Progressives prepare for the 2028 campaign

On November 9, 2025, eight moderate Democratic senators reached an agreement with the Republican caucus to end the government shutdown. As a result, the resolution to resume government operations passed the Senate with exactly 60 votes.

The filibuster that had previously prevented cloture on the continuing resolution and blocked passage of a full-year appropriations bill was overcome, allowing the Senate-passed measure to move to the House of Representatives and ultimately be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The decision by this group of moderate Democratic senators to compromise and restore government funding triggered a sharp internal conflict within the Democratic Party. The progressive wing had demanded that the shutdown continue until Republicans made major concessions.