My own take on why the five switched [View all]

(remember, Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto already had voted to end the shutdown)

1. Thanksgiving was coming.

Ramen (or other thin meals) for Thanksgiving?

For those that could afford to have real food: "I already got the turkey, but the grandkids can't come??"

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/flights-canceled-las-vegas-tourism-troubles-21147227.php

(snip)
The disruption in air travel could have a continued impact on the local economy if visitors choose to alter or cancel Las Vegas trips in the face of uncertainty. Las Vegas businesses joined almost 500 businesses nationwide in penning a letter to government officials urging them to end the shutdown. The letter, organized by the U.S. Travel Association and addressing top congressional leaders, said the U.S. travel industry has already lost $4 billion since the shutdown began and pleaded with them to open the government ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel.

MGM Resorts, The Venetian Casino Resort, Caesars Entertainment and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) all signed the letter.
(snip)


2. Food and jobs (and travel)

Rosen (NV): Las Vegas, baby. (see above)

Hassan and Shaheen: earfuls from their constituents .

https://www.wmur.com/article/government-shutdown-deal-shaheen-hassan-11092025/69300293

Hassan also emphasized the toll the shutdown has taken and the need to address rising health care costs.

"Over the last several weeks, I've heard from Granite Staters who can't afford a doubling of their health insurance costs. I've also heard from families about the deep pain that the government shutdown has caused. Made worse by a president who illegally and repeatedly chose to cut off help for families who were just trying to buy groceries," Hassan said.

Plymouth State University political science professor John Lappie said it's not surprising to see Shaheen and Hassan working together on the deal, given their long-standing relationship and political stability.

"Sen. Shaheen, of course, she's retiring. She can't be damaged politically. Sen. Hassan isn't up for reelection until 2028, meaning by then most people will have forgotten a shutdown even happened this year. Even fewer will care, so she should be politically insulated," Lappie said.

Kaine (VA): Jobs, jobs (and "flyover" constituents in the rest of the state)

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/09/senate-democrats-shutdown-vote-00644146

(snip)
Kaine represents about 150,000 federal workers affected by the shutdown and backed the deal that includes a key provision for his state: reinstatement of federal workers impacted by mass “reduction in force” firings during the shutdown.

“This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay,” he said in a statement.
(snip)

((The federal contractors are affected too. So probably is the local Restaurant Row, as well as those trucking in supplies to those businesses.))

Durbin (IL): ((setting up to blame THEM on ACA tax credits?))

(from Politico again))

(snip)
Durbin is the Democratic whip and the only member of party leadership who voted with Republicans to advance the deal to end the shutdown. His likely successor as whip, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), voted against advancing the deal after sticking with Schumer and Durbin in March.

“This bill is not perfect, but it takes important steps to reduce their shutdown’s hurt,” Durbin said in a statement. “Now that Democrats secured these wins, it’s time for Leader Thune to keep his promise to schedule a vote on the ACA tax credits in December.” He is retiring next year after three decades in office.
(snip)