Senate Democrats Play Shutdown Poker: Hold or Fold, Murphy?
After their November 5, 2025 midterm victory lap, Senate Democrats are treating the country’s longest government shutdown like a suspenseful Netflix saga—lots of drama, but precious little action. Chris Murphy (D-Conn) and his 8-person 'holdout squad' are channeling their inner Gandalf, bravely demanding, 'You shall not negotiate!' while House Democrats warn of 'hell to pay' if their Senate cousins cave faster than a cheap camping tent. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders hijacked Chuck Schumer’s press conference, drops mic with 'meaningless gesture' zingers, and Angus King stays mum in a Senate cave—as if spelunking to dodge questions is a new bipartisan strategy. Republicans? They thought they had Friday sealed; now forget it, next week maybe. Future historians will call this 'Shutdown: The Extended Edition.'
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Senate Democrats treat shutdown negotiations like a high-school chemistry lab—lots of mixing, no explosive results. Meanwhile, Bernie hijacks lecterns, Angus hides, and Murphy’s squad says 'hold your fire,' because apparently victory means slow-walking chaos.
Watching Senate Democrats negotiate the shutdown is like waiting for Game of Thrones to finish its final season; promises of drama, repeated delays, and someone always standing on a chair shouting nonsense.
Murphy and his clique holding out on the shutdown like it's the last slice of pizza at a party—except that party’s holding the whole government hostage and no one’s laughing.
Source: Axios | Published: 11/6/2025 | Author: Stephen Neukam
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