Representative Mark Pocan from Wisconsin has strongly criticized Senate Democrats who, on Sunday night, cast votes for what he deems a subpar agreement aimed at initiating the process to end the longest government shutdown in history.

Using the social media platform X, Pocan urged both the public and fellow House Democrats to express “outrage” after eight members of the Senate Democratic caucus took a pivotal vote to move forward with funding legislation. This decision was made in exchange for what was described as a Republican promise to hold a vote on extending healthcare subsidies.

“The decision by Senate Democrats who supported this inadequate deal undermines all the hard work put forth in Tuesday’s elections,” the progressive representative expressed on X during the night.

“Healthcare is crucial. Empty promises are not,” he added, emphasizing the significance of tangible healthcare benefits over mere assurances.

Previously, the majority of Senate Democrats had stood firm against endorsing a Republican plan to fund the government. Their resistance was contingent upon securing negotiations for an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. These credits are due to expire by year-end, posing a potential increase in premiums for millions of Americans.

But on Sunday, five more Democrats joined three of their colleagues from the caucus in voting for a House-passed bill to reopen federal departments and agencies.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.)  joined Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Angus King (I-Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, in support of the House bill.

The Democratic senators argued after their vote that it became clear Republicans were not going to agree to add language to a government funding bill, even if the standoff lasted for weeks longer.

But the move set off fierce backlash within the Democratic Party, which largely felt emboldened in its position in the shutdown standoff after winning big in the elections last week.

Pocan also took a shot at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Sunday night, nodding to the leader’s lack of an endorsement for his party’s nominee for mayor of his hometown, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist.

“Don’t endorse or say who you voted for in NYC despite there being a Dem candidate. Get Dem Senators to negotiate a terrible “deal” that does nothing real about healthcare. Screw over a national political party. Profile of scourge? Next,” Pocan posted on X.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who represents Silicon Valley, also cast blame on Schumer for failing to keep his caucus united against the GOP funding bill.

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?” Khanna wrote on X.