Democrats are in open revolt after eight members of their Senate caucus broke ranks Sunday night and voted to advance a stopgap deal to reopen the government, setting off a political firestorm that is now engulfing party leadership and even daytime TV.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) blasted the move as “a mistake.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called it “a very bad night.” Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of being ineffective. The View’s Sunny Hostin piled on, saying Schumer should be replaced.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” Khanna wrote on X. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
After 40 days of shutdown gridlock, eight Senate Democrats — none facing reelection in 2026 — sided with Republicans to move the House-passed bill forward. Schumer himself voted no, but that hasn’t saved him from the fury of his own party.
“Don’t endorse or say who you voted for in NYC despite there being a Dem candidate,” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) sneered online, slamming Schumer for refusing to back democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York’s mayoral race. “Get Dem Senators to negotiate a terrible ‘deal’ that does nothing real about healthcare. Screw over a national political party. Profile of scourge? Next.”
Sens. Dick Durbin, Jacky Rosen, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, and independent Angus King — who caucuses with Democrats — all voted to advance the measure, clearing the way to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The House is expected to take up the compromise later this week. Democratic leaders there say they’ll oppose it, but swing-district members could face heavy pressure to vote yes.
“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership,” Moulton wrote on X. “If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare. Maybe now @EdMarkey will finally join me in pledging not to vote for Schumer?”
Schumer insisted Sunday night he’ll “keep fighting,” but many Democrats are openly questioning his grip on the caucus. They had long opposed the measure because it didn’t fix expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies — but as the shutdown stretched into its sixth week, with flights canceled, food benefits disappearing, and federal workers unpaid, the pressure to act became unbearable.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) turned her fire on Republicans, saying, “I want Republicans to actually grow a backbone and say, regardless of what Donald Trump says, we’re actually going to restore these cuts on health care — but it looks like I’ve lost that fight.”
Murphy wasn’t buying the compromise. “This bill doesn’t do anything to arrest the health care catastrophe, nor does it constrain in any meaningful way President Trump’s illegality,” he said. “I think the voters were pretty clear on Tuesday night what they wanted Congress to do … and I am really saddened that we didn’t listen to them.”
Democrats say they’ve been promised a December Senate vote on extending ACA tax credits and the rehiring of government workers fired during the shutdown. But Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said that’s not enough. “A wink and a nod to deal with this health care crisis later — with no actual guarantees — is just not enough,” she said.
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin agreed: “The promise of a vote in over a month does not meet that threshold.”
DNC Chair Ken Martin called the vote “a betrayal of the American people,” blaming Republicans and President Trump. “The voters will never forget the day Trump turned his back on them so he could focus on building his gilded ballroom,” Martin said.
Washing dishes is one of the simplest household tasks. For most people, it’s a routine chore that hardly requires thought. But for one family in China, this everyday activity ended in heartbreak.
Earlier this summer, Ms. Li, a 67-year-old retiree, collapsed and died while doing dishes in her kitchen. Neighbors described hearing the crash of a bowl hitting the floor, followed by heavy breathing and the sound of someone falling against the wall. When they rushed over, they found Ms. Li pale, sweating, and struggling to breathe. By the time an ambulance arrived, it was too late.
Doctors later confirmed the cause: a sudden heart attack.
Ms. Li had lived with mild high blood pressure and chronic back pain for years. She often dismissed her symptoms, believing them to be manageable. But on this particularly hot day, the combination of physical strain, high temperature, and her existing health conditions proved fatal.
Her story has since been widely shared in local media, sparking urgent conversations about the hidden dangers of housework—especially for older adults.
It may sound surprising, but common activities like washing dishes, sweeping floors, or bending to pick up items can trigger health emergencies in the elderly. Medical experts explain that aging bodies face reduced flexibility in blood vessels, slower circulation, and increased vulnerability to sudden changes in posture or temperature.
Washing dishes might look harmless, but the task often combines several risk factors: standing in one position for long periods, leaning forward repeatedly, and sudden exposure to cold water. When these stressors are layered on top of pre-existing conditions—such as hypertension, heart disease, or joint problems—they can create dangerous situations.
Ms. Li’s tragic case is a sobering reminder that even the simplest activities can carry unexpected risks.
Doctors and safety specialists have highlighted three specific moments during dishwashing that pose the highest danger for elderly people:
When an older adult bends forward suddenly, blood supply to the brain can drop, leading to dizziness or even fainting. For those with hardened or narrowed blood vessels, the risk is even greater. Experts recommend placing a sturdy chair near the sink so dishes can be washed while seated.
Remaining in the same posture for extended periods reduces venous return—the flow of blood from the legs back to the heart. This can cause swelling, lightheadedness, or fainting. Doctors suggest moving the legs every 10–15 minutes or using a non-slip mat to make standing safer.
Cold water causes blood vessels to constrict. For individuals with cardiovascular conditions, this sudden change can trigger angina, irregular heartbeat, or, in severe cases, a heart attack. Setting the water temperature to a mild 38–40°C (100–104°F) is safer and more comfortable.
Medical professionals also urge older adults and their families to pay attention to the following “taboos” when it comes to daily chores:
Families can take steps to create a safer environment for elderly loved ones:
Incidents like Ms. Li’s are heartbreaking not only because of the sudden loss, but because they are often preventable. Doctors stress that families need to monitor elderly relatives more closely.
Ms. Li’s passing is a tragedy that highlights a broader issue: society often underestimates the physical toll of housework on older adults. As life expectancy rises and more seniors live independently, the risks hidden in daily routines cannot be ignored.
Her story is not about fear—but about awareness. Simple changes in household habits can save lives: sitting instead of standing, using warm water instead of cold, asking for help instead of pushing through pain.
The kitchen, often seen as the heart of the home, should never become a place of danger. Ms. Li’s story reminds us that caring for our elders goes beyond emotional support—it requires creating safe spaces where they can live with dignity and health.
A bowl slipping from her hand should never have been the beginning of the end. Her story may now prevent others from meeting the same fate, if only we learn from it.