Democrats attempt last-ditch effort to save Obamacare subsidies as shutdown end draws near

House Democrats failed to secure COVID-19 era Obamacare subsidy extensions as Rep. Ivey's unanimous consent request was rejected during a pro-forma session.

Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., speaks during a press conference on Mar. 15, 2025. (Camilo Freedman/Getty)

If successful, Ivey's motion would have allowed the bill to clear the chamber without a single vote. His attempt failed, however, as the chair, Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., drowned out Ivey by gaveling over his motion.

Ivey’s unorthodox maneuver highlights divisions among Democrats as the government looks toward a resolution on the shutdown, and it comes after the Senate advanced a bill on Sunday evening that would reopen the government through Jan. 30.

'THE PANDEMIC'S OVER': GOP, DEM SENATORS SPAR ON CAMERA OVER COSTLY OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, update reporters following their face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Washington, Sept. 29, 2025.  (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Democrats in the House of Representatives have largely called the vote a capitulation to Republican demands, noting that Democrats have not secured any substantive agreements on the subsidies themselves.

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Having cleared the threat of a filibuster on Sunday evening, the Senate will likely advance the short-term spending bill within the next two days. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House will consider it as soon as possible once it passes the Senate.

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-attempt-last-ditch-effort-save-obamacare-subsidies-shutdown-end-draws-near