WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Democrats are furious after eight Senate Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans in ending the 42-day government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — without securing key legislative goals.
According to a report from Axios, frustration reached a breaking point during a private House Democratic call on Monday evening, where one lawmaker bluntly stated, “People are [expletive] pissed.”
Deep Divisions Emerge Inside the Democratic Party
More than a dozen House Democrats reportedly expressed outrage over the shutdown deal during the call. The conversation highlighted widening rifts within the party — between progressives, moderates, and Senate leadership — following weeks of negotiations that left many lawmakers unsatisfied.
Democrats had initially hoped to leverage the shutdown to win policy concessions. Instead, they settled for a deal that left many of their priorities untouched, while federal employees such as air traffic controllers went unpaid for over a month.
What’s in the Senate Deal
The Senate bill, which still requires House approval before reaching President Donald Trump’s desk, includes a promise to hold a December vote on renewing Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits set to expire at year’s end.
Democrats originally negotiated the end of those credits in 2022 budget legislation, but extending them has since become a top priority for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and others.
However, with the renewal bill requiring 60 votes in the Senate, Democrats remain skeptical about its chances of passing. That uncertainty has only fueled discontent within the party ranks.
Lawmakers Call Out Schumer’s Leadership
Several House Democrats directed their frustration squarely at Schumer, with some even calling for his resignation as Senate Minority Leader.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), former chair of the House Progressive Caucus, said Schumer had either “lost control of his caucus” or quietly “gave his blessing” to the deal — despite voting against it himself.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) echoed the anger among rank-and-file Democrats, telling Axios, “People are [expletive] pissed.”
Roughly half of those who spoke on the call reportedly criticized Schumer directly or agreed with others who did.
Jeffries Urges Unity, Focus on Healthcare
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also expressed frustration with the deal, warning that Democrats “came up well short” in their negotiations.
“I don’t think the House Democratic Caucus is prepared to support a promise, a wing and a prayer, from folks who have been devastating the health care of the American people for years,” Jeffries said Sunday.
Despite the infighting, Jeffries has urged members to maintain discipline and focus public messaging on healthcare — not on “a few individuals in the Senate.”
Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), who represents battleground districts, reinforced that message, encouraging colleagues to direct their anger toward Republicans rather than one another.
Growing Calls for Schumer’s Replacement
Tensions have spilled beyond private conversations. Some prominent Democrats have publicly called for Schumer to be replaced as Senate leader.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) posted on X. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
What Happens Next
Despite opposition from many House Democrats, the Senate’s proposal could still pass on Wednesday. Moderate Democrats — including Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), who recently announced his retirement — have signaled support for the agreement.
Golden’s spokesperson said his stance on using government shutdowns as leverage “has been clear and has not changed.”
With the House preparing for a vote, Democrats remain deeply divided over both the deal and the future of their leadership — a sign of growing unrest within the party as the 2025 legislative battles continue.
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