A House Divided: Stefany Shaheen Breaks With Mom Over Ending Shutdown

CONCORD, NH - A rare public split has emerged in New Hampshire’s most prominent Democratic family after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and her daughter, congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen, took opposing stances on the deal to reopen the federal government.

Sen. Shaheen voted in favor of the bipartisan agreement that ended the weekslong shutdown, calling it a “major step forward” that protects health care for millions and restores pay for federal workers. The deal reopens the government through early next year while setting up a later vote on whether to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Full Statement

“This agreement gives Democrats control of the Senate floor and takes a big step toward protecting the health care of tens of millions of Americans,” the senior Shaheen said in her statement. “Waiting longer will only prolong the pain Americans are feeling because of the shutdown.”

Her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, a candidate for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, sharply disagreed. In a separate statement, she said she could not support any deal that fails to guarantee an immediate extension of the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits, warning that health care costs could “skyrocket” for middle-income families starting in January.

“Too many people will see their health care costs rise even further,” Stefany Shaheen said. “We need to both end this shutdown and extend the ACA tax credits. Otherwise, no deal.”

The mother-daughter divide underscores the broader fault line within the Democratic Party. Jeanne Shaheen, a centrist with a long record of bipartisan dealmaking, emphasized pragmatism and reopening government operations. Stefany Shaheen, representing the party’s progressive wing, took a harder line, arguing that Democrats should not compromise on health care affordability.

Stefany Shaheen Full Statement

For now, the senator’s vote helped bring federal employees back to work and restored programs like SNAP, Air Traffic Controller's pay, and military pay. But the disagreement highlights a growing generational and ideological split among Democrats—one playing out not just in Washington, but within the Shaheen household itself.