Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., aren't ready to back down from their shutdown position yet as the fight nears its fourth week. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
"We had a very good, productive meeting," Schumer said as he exited the lunch.
Others espoused messages of unity among the ranks and bristled that they were holding out from reopening the government.
"It’s not about holding out," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said. "We fight for access to healthcare for millions of people across this country. Affordability is a giant issue for American families. They told us that at the polls on Tuesday, but they tell us that every day of their lives."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., plans to put the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) on the floor again Friday to test Democrats’ resolve. It’s expected they’ll block the bill once again.
Thune and Republicans have remained firm in their position that the Obamacare issue would be considered after the government reopens, and he has offered Senate Democrats a vote on the matter, which is also expected to fail.
SENATE DEMS EMBOLDENED IN SHUTDOWN STRATEGY AFTER ELECTION SWEEP
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Republican leadership after a policy luncheon in Washington Oct. 28, 2025 (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"I think the clear path forward here with regard to the [Obamacare] issue, open up the government, and we head down to the White House and sit down with the president and talk about it," Thune said. "But I just, right now there is hostage taking, as you all know. The consequences are getting more pronounced."
There is also the question of whether the Senate stays in over the weekend ahead of a scheduled recess for Veterans Day next week.
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Senate Democrats want to remain, but Republicans aren’t keen to stick around unless there are signs of real progress toward reopening the government.
"I do expect to be here this weekend," Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/optimism-fades-senate-democrats-dig-in-hold-out-over-obamacare-demands