Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are united in opposing any legislation that doesn’t include key health care provisions.
Trump, though, called on Republicans to stay united, and sought to pin the blame for any shutdown on Democrats.
It’s unclear if Democrats would support a temporary funding bill to avoid a government interruption if talks were underway on the health care issue.
“House Democrats will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.
The tax credits go to low- and middle-income people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
WASHINGTON, AP — With a deadline approaching, Congress rushed Monday toward a federal government shutdown as Democrats are demonstrating a renewed willingness to play hardball, even if it means closing offices and services, while Republicans reject Democratic calls to protect health care funding from cuts.
Before the end-of-month deadline to keep the government operating, Republican leaders are prepared to call the Democrats’ bluff with a test vote, potentially as early as this week.
When the new fiscal year starts in October, GOP leaders said they could set up a vote on a short-term spending bill that would keep the federal government running smoothly. 1. Up until mid-November, it would probably be a stopgap measure.
In response to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the bill would include money to increase security for lawmakers. The Trump administration also announced its request to Congress for an additional $58 million in funding for the U.S. S. Marshals Service and protection for the Supreme Court. Additionally, the Senate is debating its own recommendations.
“I want everyone to know that members of Congress are safe when I say that,” said Johnson, R-La. remarked at the Capitol Monday. “They will remain secure. They now have personal and home security measures in place. We can always improve, do more, and perform better. “.”.
Republicans have been willing to use shutdown threats in previous budget battles to draw attention to their pressing demands. That was true during the longest shutdown in the country’s history, which took place in the winter of 2018–19, when President Donald Trump insisted on using federal funds to construct the U.S. A. -The border wall with Mexico.
Democrats are taking a tougher stance this time, even if it means stopping funding for federal offices, as they face tremendous pressure from their base of supporters to oppose Trump and refuse to support the administration’s policies.
Democratic Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer stated that he and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries share a common stance against any legislation that omits important health care provisions.
They have focused especially on the possibility that millions of Americans’ health care premiums could skyrocket if Congress does not extend enhanced subsidies, which many use to purchase insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchange. During the COVID crisis, those subsidies were implemented; however, they are about to expire.
Schumer argues that if Trump and Republicans fail to reach a bipartisan agreement, they will be held accountable.
“One side is the one causing the shutdown if they refuse to negotiate,” Schumer stated.
However, Trump urged Republicans to remain united and attempted to blame Democrats for any shutdown.
Trump wrote on social media that Republicans must unite in times like these to resist the demands of Radical Left Democrats and cast “YES” votes.
If the House took action, Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that he would prefer senators to vote this week before they depart town. All of next week is set aside for their absence. Sept. marks the end of the fiscal year. 30; a partial shutdown can only be prevented if Congress takes action by then.
The top Republicans in the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have been pushing for the government to be funded through November with the stopgap spending bill. 19. Congressmen, however, stated that no definitive date has been established.
If discussions were taking place on the health care issue, it is uncertain whether Democrats would back a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown.
Trump’s remarks on social media prompted Jeffries to release a statement claiming that millions of Americans are losing their insurance and that insurance rates are exorbitant. A nationwide closure of hospitals, assisted living facilities, and community-based health clinics is another warning he issued.
“A partisan Republican spending bill that keeps destroying the American people’s access to healthcare will not have the support of House Democrats.”. “That’s the main goal of this shutdown battle, Mr. Dot President,” Jeffries remarked.
Both political parties support the extension of tax credits that have helped millions of people afford health insurance since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still disagreements about the best way to accomplish this.
First implemented in 2021 and extended a year later when Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, Democrats are threatening to vote to shut down the government at the end of the month if Republicans don’t extend the subsidies. Those with low and moderate incomes who buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act are eligible for the tax credits.
Next year, millions of dollars will be spent on health insurance if the tax credits are not available. If Congress did nothing, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the number of uninsured people would increase by 2 million in 2026 and by 3 million the following year.
Other Democrats say they could back a “clean” bill that would keep spending the same amount of money, even though Schumer and Jeffries have threatened a shutdown. This is provided that Republicans promise to support health care and other Democratic priorities.
Sen. D-Va. Tim Kaine. stated that, “if it’s for a limited time to reach the solution,” he would support a stopgap bill. “”.
Thune said efforts by some Republicans to impose sanctions on nations that purchase oil from Russia are unlikely to be included in a continuing resolution.
The president is attempting to make sure that our European allies join us before we impose secondary sanctions, Thune stated. “I hope it’s ripe here soon,” Thune said. “Unless all of our allies join us, the sanctions’ effectiveness would be reduced. “.”
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