Thune Says More Democrats Poised to Break From Schumer on Shutdown Vote

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑S.D.) stated Tuesday that at least two additional Democratic senators are in discussions to break ranks with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.) and support a clean funding bill to reopen the government. The announcement adds momentum to growing pressure inside the Democratic caucus as a partial government shutdown enters its second week.

So far, only three Senate Democrats — John Fetterman (Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), and Independent Angus King (Maine), who caucuses with Democrats — have joined Republicans in supporting efforts to pass a temporary funding measure. On the GOP side, Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) remains the lone Republican holdout.

Thune told Fox News that Republicans already have 55 votes prepared in favor of reopening, and suggested that at least two more Democrats are ready to join them. With 60 votes needed to overcome the Senate filibuster, the White House and Republican leadership are counting on additional defections to break the impasse.

“We have 55 … voting to reopen the government. We need five more Democrats,” Thune said. “We’re stuck as long as a handful of Democrats decide they’ll follow the leader and play politics instead of doing the right thing for the American people.”

He accused Democratic leadership of resisting a bipartisan solution, noting the proposed bill is “clean, nonpartisan,” and free of policy riders or political gimmicks.

Thune also suggested that Democrats might be delaying action to synchronize with a planned “No Kings” protest rally on October 18—a mass demonstration backed by groups like Indivisible and reportedly supported by Democratic figures.

“They’ve got this big rally coming up next Saturday… but this is straightforward. This is how you reopen the government,” he said of the continuing resolution.

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Schumer Under Pressure

The House has already approved a short-term continuing resolution to fund government operations until late November, but Schumer has so far blocked its passage in the Senate by maintaining party discipline. Thune’s latest remarks intensify internal divisions and raise the possibility of a crack in Democratic solidarity.

Compounding the pressure on Schumer is his recent comment—reported by Punchbowl News—that the shutdown was “getting better for us every day.” Many Republicans and some Democrats interpreted it as a stark admission that the shutdown was being used for political gain.

President Trump and White House representatives were quick to seize on the statement. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said Schumer had “just said the quiet part out loud,” accusing Democrats of “gleefully inflicting pain on the American people” to advance their agenda. The timing and tone of Schumer’s remarks have added to the narrative that political theater, not policy, is driving the stalemate.

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What’s at Stake

If additional Democrats break, Republicans may succeed in passing a clean funding bill, forcing Democratic leadership to justify continued shutdown tactics. That scenario could weaken Schumer’s negotiating position and reshape legislative dynamics in coming weeks.

But potential defectors face major political risk — primary challenges, backlash from progressive base voters, and accusations of abandoning party discipline. Whether enough senators will cross lines remains uncertain.

The bill under discussion does not address key Democratic priorities such as restoring healthcare subsidies for undocumented immigrants, a central demand that Republicans have consistently refused. That issue remains a standoff point, even as pressure mounts to put government operations ahead of policy battles.

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Looking Ahead to Thursday Vote

The Senate is expected to hold its ninth vote on the continuing resolution later Thursday. Should the additional Democrats act, the measure might finally advance toward passage. But if the Senate is unable to break the logjam, the shutdown may drag further into next week.

Thune and other Republican leaders remain committed to another floor push on Thursday, including a procedural move tied to the defense funding bill. If Democrats fail to engage or compromise, Republicans claim they will continue reintroducing the clean CR until relief is passed.

As discussions between the parties have grown more limited and informal, the calculus within the Democratic caucus could shift dramatically — especially as voices from states under pressure demand action. If the moderate or swing-state senators perceive more political risk from the shutdown than from crossing lines, Schumer’s grip on unity may begin to weaken.