Washington has seen its share of high-stakes fiscal battles, but this one feels different — tenser, closer, and perhaps more revealing about the quiet cracks forming in the Senate’s partisan armor.
With the government now shuttered and Republicans just five votes short of passing their continuing resolution (CR) to reopen it, the mood in the upper chamber has turned from defiant to desperate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) struck an optimistic but measured tone on Thursday, telling The Hill, “I think there are a lot of Democrat people who are looking for a way out. They want an off-ramp here.”
That “off-ramp” could come in the form of a handful of moderate or retiring Democrats, whose instincts — or political survival — may nudge them toward breaking ranks.
So far, three have already crossed over: Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, and Maine independent Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats. All voted with Republicans to keep the government open, a symbolic if incomplete victory for the GOP.
The question now is whether five more will follow.
Jeanne Shaheen (D–N.H.) — The senior senator from New Hampshire voted against the Republican CR on Tuesday, but her public comments suggest she’s still looking for a deal. Shaheen said she wants to “get back to the negotiating table,” adding she’s “eager to work with [her] Republican colleagues to find common ground.” With her retirement already announced, Shaheen has little political risk in crossing the aisle — and she’s done it before. In March, she voted for a Republican-led CR, citing the need to “avoid chaos.” That pragmatism could reemerge if negotiations stall.
In March, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) was one of two Dems to vote for a GOP CR (and one of 10 to vote to advance).
Tonight, she voted against advancing a GOP CR.
“I thought getting this done so that now we can hopefully get back to the negotiating table was the best approach.” pic.twitter.com/kfvxhFYnOw
— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) September 30, 2025
Gary Peters (D–Mich.) — Another retiring senator, Peters has been careful with his words. While he blasted the current GOP proposal, he left the door open to “a bipartisan deal” that avoids further economic disruption. Like Shaheen, Peters supported the March CR and has emphasized protecting Michigan families from higher health costs. Republicans see him as a prime target for persuasion — a lawmaker with nothing left to lose but a legacy of moderation.
My statement on tonight’s vote: pic.twitter.com/nme1oczbs9
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) September 30, 2025
Maggie Hassan (D–N.H.) — New Hampshire’s junior senator mirrors Shaheen’s approach: cautious criticism paired with a call for bipartisan compromise. Hassan, too, backed the March CR and has expressed frustration with her party’s resistance to negotiation. With both Granite State senators signaling a willingness to engage, New Hampshire could once again play an outsized role in shaping a national standoff.
I’m going to keep working to find a bipartisan way to reopen the government and stop health care costs from rising even further.
People are facing a spike in health insurance premiums that may cost thousands of Granite Staters their health care.
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) October 2, 2025
Ruben Gallego (D–Ariz.) — Gallego’s calculus is more complicated. While he’s part of the informal “moderate conversation” bloc on the Senate floor, he’s also running for reelection in a battleground state. His rhetoric so far has leaned partisan — accusing Republicans of allowing “health care premiums to double.” But Arizona’s Trump-leaning swing vote may pressure him toward pragmatism if the shutdown drags on.
Republicans could end this government shutdown right now and stop health insurance premiums from doubling for millions of Americans.
Why are they choosing to let costs skyrocket?
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) October 1, 2025
Jon Ossoff (D–Ga.) — The youngest member of the Senate’s Democratic caucus could become one of its biggest surprises. Though he voted against both the March and current CRs, Ossoff has signaled openness to “work with President Trump and Republicans” to end the shutdown. Facing reelection in 2026 in a state that backed Trump, Ossoff may calculate that cooperation now could pay dividends later — especially if his colleagues’ intransigence begins to alienate centrist voters.
