Republican senators last week hoped that pressure would push enough Democrats to support a House-passed funding bill and thus end the government shutdown.
But as the shutdown enters its ninth day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have kept the party together for now, to the surprise of many.
“A lot of people wondered whether we would be bullied again, and we have not been. I think Schumer understands the gravity of this moment,” Sen. Chris Murphy said.