Durbin on shutdown vote: 'I did what I thought was right'

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said he's "sticking his neck out" for an agreement with Republicans to end the government shutdown on the promise of a later debate and vote on extending healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans.

Durbin spoke Thursday at an event in Springfield for a transportation hub project.

Durbin was one of eight senators, one independent and seven Democrats, who voted Monday to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

"Millions of individuals were denied paychecks, were unable to feed their family, were denied Snap benefits to give children and the disabled and the elderly assistance and their food," Durbin said. "That's why I came to the conclusion that we had to try to find a bipartisan agreement. And we reached it and remains to be seen whether the Republicans will live up to it."

That agreement is a promise from Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

"I'm sticking my neck out for this agreement," Durbin said he told Thune. "I want you to keep your word."

Durbin said he thinks he will keep his word.

A major reason Democrats had not moved forward with a new spending plan with Republicans was because of expiring tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

The tax credits—or subsidies—keep costs lower and affordable for millions of Americans who rely on the ACA. If they expire, more than 20 million Americans will see significant increases to their health insurance premiums.

Even with the promise of a later vote, there is no guarantee of a deal to extend the subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson has made no promise that the House will take up the extensions.

Durbin said he met with longtime Senate colleague and friend, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, about the vote.

"Yes, he opposed what I did and, the others involved in it, but I did what I thought was right."

Durbin said Schumer was not happy with his decision.

"He was disappointed and told me as much and he asked me to change my mind," Durbin said of Schumer. "I said, I'm not going to do that. I just wanted to give you the benefit of knowing what I'm thinking."

Durbin is not running for re-election in 2026. The other seven Senators who voted with Republicans are either not on the ballot next year or are also retiring.

President Donald Trump signed the new spending plan into law Wednesday night allowing the federal government to reopen.

The effects of the shutdown will linger for days, including airport delays, funding for SNAP benefits which are not expected until Monday, and back pay for more than a million federal workers.

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