Hours before off-year elections, Bernie Sanders warned Democrats against cutting a shutdown deal without a concrete health care win. After Democrats’ blowout victories, including in Virginia, party leaders argued the results strengthened their hand, even as centrist senators pursued talks with Republicans over an offramp hinging on a future vote to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Schumer stayed noncommittal; Sanders demanded a firm commitment from Trump. Trump privately lamented the shutdown’s political damage to Republicans, while House GOP leaders resisted a compromise, leaving negotiations unsettled as pressure mounts.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.