Democrats Say They’ll Hold Out Until ‘Planes Fall Out of the Sky’

The partial federal government shutdown entered its second week Monday, with Senate Democrats signaling they are prepared to prolong the impasse indefinitely unless Republicans agree to their demands for expanded healthcare coverage for illegal aliens.

The standoff began at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, after two separate funding measures failed in the Senate.

The House of Representatives had earlier passed a short-term stopgap bill to keep the government open through November, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected it.

Instead of advancing the temporary measure, Schumer and Senate Democrats voted it down, triggering a lapse in appropriations across multiple federal agencies.

The shutdown has already affected several government operations, with some airport services disrupted over the weekend.

Transportation officials warned that continued funding delays could impact air traffic control staffing and maintenance schedules, though essential operations remain in place.

BREAKING: The FAA warns of nationwide disruptions Tuesday night as staffing shortages hit major control centers in Chicago, Nashville, Houston, and Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/Ifccx4PfEP

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2025

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Republican leaders have accused Schumer of choosing political leverage over maintaining government services.

House Speaker Mike Johnson called the Senate’s refusal to consider the temporary extension “a deliberate decision to hurt Americans for political gain.”

The shutdown follows weeks of failed negotiations between the House and Senate over competing proposals to extend government funding.

Lawmakers have now seen seven separate attempts collapse in the Senate amid sharp disagreement over immigration-related spending provisions.

According to CNN, Democratic aides have privately acknowledged their willingness to maintain the shutdown for weeks if Republicans do not agree to include taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal aliens in the final funding package.

The network reported that party leaders believe they can sustain the standoff so long as “public perception is in their favor.”

“Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield,” CNN reported.

The outlet also cited another unnamed Democratic aide who said the party would not back down “short of planes falling out of the sky.”

🚨 SHOCKING ADMISSION: Democrats are literally saying they won’t end this government shutdown until “planes [are] falling out of the sky” because of air traffic controller shortages THEY created.

Your safety is not Democrats’ priority. This is disgusting and unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/w9ThLOE0Iu

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) October 10, 2025

Republican senators have condemned those statements, arguing that Democrats are prioritizing partisan policy goals over national security and public safety.

“The American people expect us to fund essential services first,” one GOP lawmaker said, calling the remarks “reckless and irresponsible.”

While negotiations remain stalled, Schumer has continued to shift blame toward the House leadership, accusing Speaker Johnson of causing the shutdown by not remaining in session to negotiate further.

“Hear that, Mr. Speaker? Good Americans in your own state will die. All because the Speaker chose to keep the House on vacation, rather than negotiate with Democrats, and end their Trump shutdown. Shameful!” Schumer said this week.

🚨 BREAKING: Chuck Schumer LOSES IT on the Senate floor, accuses Speaker Johnson of KILLING his own Louisiana residents by not caving to Democrats on healthcare

Holy crap, this is disgusting.

“Hear that, Mr. Speaker?! Good Americans in your own state…will DIE. All because the… pic.twitter.com/5U72fg9YsQ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 9, 2025

Despite the rhetoric, both chambers have shown little movement toward compromise.

House Republicans insist on a short-term funding bill without new spending commitments, while Senate Democrats have tied reopening the government to their demand for expanded benefits for non-citizens.

As the shutdown continues, federal employees face delayed paychecks, and nonessential programs remain paused.

Economic analysts have warned that an extended shutdown could slow some government services and create uncertainty for contractors and agencies awaiting funding.

The impasse marks one of the most contentious budget showdowns in recent years, with both sides accusing the other of political brinkmanship.

For now, Democratic leaders appear intent on maintaining the shutdown until their healthcare demands are met, leaving no immediate end in sight.