Illinois’ senior U.S. senator, Dick Durbin, defended his vote to reopen the federal government after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
After 40 days, Durbin was one of eight senators — seven Democrats and an independent who are all seen as Centrists — who agreed to join with the Republicans for the 60 votes needed. Amid long lines at food pantries and cancellations at airports, the deal means SNAP food benefits will be funded through September 2026 and federal workers, including air traffic controllers, will receive back pay.
Durbin, in a speech on the Senate floor Monday, outlined why he voted to continue with the continuing resolution, which funds the government through Jan. 30, 2026.
“Many of my friends are unhappy. They think we should have kept our government closed indefinitely to protest the policies of the Trump Administration. I share their opinions of this Administration but cannot accept a strategy [that] wages political battles at the expense of my neighbors’ paychecks or food for [their] children,” Durbin said.
All eight senators who voted with the Republicans are either retiring or not on the ballot in 2026. They indicated other Democrats supported an end to the shutdown but were reluctant to say so because of party pressures.
Other Democrats refused to support the deal because it does not extend health care subsidies, which was the main demand that led to the shutdown. Illinois’ other U.S. senator, Democrat Tammy Duckworth, in a rare break with Durbin, voted against the deal.
“This is the time to keep fighting to bring costs down and protect the American people,” she said in a written statement.
Some pointed fingers at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York. Despite his vote against the deal, some liberal groups and Democratic candidates running against the establishment blamed him for failing to keep his caucus united, allowing a deal that did not include Affordable Care Act funds.
If the subsidies expire on schedule at the end of 2025, more than 20 million Americans could face health insurance premium hikes.
Durbin explained that the group of eight senators reached a deal with Republican Senate Leader John Thune.
“Leader Thune has also promised the Democrats an opportunity before mid-December to present a Democratic bill on the floor with proposals to change the law and protect American families from dramatic health care premium increases. It is my fervent hope that this ends up being a bipartisan effort. I have served in the Senate for 29 years and have never seen that kind of offer from a Senate majority. During the historic roll call last night, I walked across the aisle and met with Senator John Thune, the Republican Leader. I told him I was counting on him to keep his word on this agreement. He assured me he would,” Durbin said.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also criticized the agreement.
“This is not a deal — it’s an empty promise. Trump and his Republican Congress is making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families. Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare,” he said.
The Senate vote Sunday night was the first step. The U.S. House of Representatives will also need to vote. That vote is expected on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump will need to sign it.
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