After Their Election Victory, Democrats Step Up Pressure on the Senate, Urging It Not to Compromise with Republicans

The Democrats’ victories in Tuesday’s elections have increased pressure on the party’s senators: colleagues in the House of Representatives and activists now warn that making concessions in the government shutdown standoff would come at too high a cost.

“If senators don’t let events run their natural course, there will be a real wave of outrage,” said one House Democrat, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We scored a major victory, and to strike a weak deal right after that would be self-sabotage.”

Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint emphasized: “The strong election results mean Senate Democrats must not agree to any compromise that fails to protect the healthcare system.” Another lawmaker said promises of a future vote on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act are “not enough,” noting that Republicans have already “broken every agreement made this year.”

On Tuesday, November 4, Democrats exceeded their own expectations, winning back the governorship in Virginia and retaining power in New Jersey—both victories achieved by double-digit margins. The party also gained an unexpected constitutional majority in the lower house of Virginia’s legislature and in the New Jersey Assembly, while winning key races in Pennsylvania and New York. In California, voters overwhelmingly approved an initiative granting Democrats the authority to redraw electoral maps to offset the advantage Republicans had secured in Texas.

According to sources, Democrats were actively discussing a post on X quoting Donald Trump’s remarks at a meeting with Republican senators: “The government shutdown was one of the reasons Republicans lost the elections.” The message, another House Democrat said, “spread through all the internal chats.”

Talking points circulated among Democrats warned: “Concessions without reciprocal commitments will undermine the party’s momentum and weaken support among our base.” The memo also stated that “saving the Republicans without getting anything in return would be political suicide.”

“The election results shouldn’t be underestimated, but they must not change our course,” said New York Congressman Joe Morelle. His colleague Jared Huffman of California added: “I’m confident most senators will hold their ground until we see real progress on healthcare issues.”

The calls extend beyond Congress: liberal advocacy groups that strongly influence Democratic strategy are also urging the party not to compromise. “Today the task for Democrats in Congress is clearer than ever—to block any budget that increases healthcare costs or advances Trump’s reckless agenda,” said Andrew O’Neill, advocacy director at Indivisible. MoveOn leader Cathy Bethell added: “Moderate senators looking for a way out now are misreading the moment. After a decisive election victory, even considering capitulation to Trump and the Republicans would mean losing the fight to protect healthcare entirely.”

Although there are no clear criteria yet for an “acceptable deal,” several lawmakers stressed that any nonbinding promises of a future ACA subsidy vote—especially one requiring a 60-vote threshold—are unacceptable. “I’m not sure a simple promise of a vote is enough,” said another Democrat. Balint noted that senators should “push for a simple-majority vote of 50,” explaining: “People want us not only to fight but to deliver results.”

“Getting nothing is unacceptable,” summed up a fourth House Democrat.