In the news reported by Epoch Times on November 5, 2025, it was emphasized by the Majority Leader of the US Senate, John Thune, on Tuesday (November 4) that any significant healthcare legislation must adhere to the Senate’s tradition of a 60-vote threshold, and efforts by the Democrats to circumvent this rule have been clearly rejected.
According to the US political website Politico’s report on Tuesday, Thune stated that any resolution regarding the extension of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, commonly known as “Obamacare,” would require the support of 60 votes to pass.
Thune optimistically mentioned earlier that lawmakers were close to reaching an agreement that could reopen the government and pave the way for further negotiations on healthcare issues.
Earlier, the Democrats proposed that the Senate could vote on extending “Obamacare” subsidies with a simple majority instead of the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation. Thune categorically rejected this suggestion, stating that “this is not going to happen.”
Thune told reporters, “Honestly, think about what the Democrats are asking for. They’re asking for a resolution to fund the government’s reopening to require 60 votes, yet a major healthcare legislation can pass with 51 votes.”
However, the vote on the Obamacare subsidy issue is not the only point of contention. There are also differences within the Republican Party on how long the temporary funding bill should continue. The purpose of passing the temporary funding bill is to give lawmakers time to further develop new long-term spending legislation.
Thune previously told Politico that he believes the expiration of the temporary bill should extend until 2026.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson confirmed on Tuesday that he also wants to avoid a “legislative backlog” during the New Year holiday season.
Johnson is facing strong pressure from the Republican hardliners who want to extend the deadline for the temporary funding bill until March, or even later. Johnson said, “I don’t support just extending it to December.”
The House has been in recess for over six weeks, with no action taken since passing a short-term temporary funding bill on September 19.
The latest update indicates that on Tuesday, Senate Democrats rejected the 14th temporary funding bill proposed by Republicans aimed at reopening the government.
Currently, the US federal government shutdown has lasted for 35 days, tying the historical record for government closure. Both parties still have differences on funding deadlines, ways to extend healthcare subsidies, and advancing funding bills, with no signs indicating that the government will reopen in the near term.