Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have proposed a partial reopening of the government to maintain SNAP benefits while excluding Affordable Care Act subsidies. This marks a shift from earlier efforts to leverage a full funding measure for ACA extensions, and aims to put political pressure on Republicans, though Democrats continue to block a full continuing resolution.

Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, previously considered targeted funding bills for select programs but ultimately abandoned the strategy to preserve negotiation leverage. Vice President J.D. Vance opposed piecemeal funding, while Republicans argue that Democrats’ delay is prolonging hardships for federal employees and program recipients.

The shutdown has left millions of federal workers unpaid and SNAP recipients facing potential lapses. Both parties have introduced competing bills: Democrats for food assistance only, and Republicans for broader funding including military pay. Thune dismissed these standalone efforts as distractions from the need for a full continuing resolution to reopen the government and restore funding to all programs.