Government shutdown looms as White House, lawmakers meet
Share and Follow


() The government is set to shut down Wednesday if Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on a funding bill to keep it open.

Large differences remained after a Monday afternoon meeting between the White House and leaders from both parties, the first meeting with President Donald Trump since the negotiations began.

Neither side seems hopeful that a breakthrough will be reached in time to stop a shutdown.

Democrats are demanding changes to the bill.

They are asking for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of 2025, payments that help people buying health insurance through the exchange afford premiums; a reversal of some of the funding cuts the “big, beautiful bill” made to Medicaid; and an end to recissions, meaning when Congress passes funding for something, Trump cannot take that money back.

Democrats are standing firm that unless they get all three of those concessions, they will not vote for the temporary funding bill.

Republicans, meanwhile, are saying they want to pass a simple bill funding government at the current levels to move things along for a few more weeks and give both sides time to negotiate a long-term funding deal.

Democratic House Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made it clear what the stakes are.

“We’ve made clear that we are willing to find a bipartisan path forward on a spending bill negotiated by Democrats and Republicans, but it has to meet the needs of the American people,” Jeffries said. “We’re not going to simply go along to get along with a Republican bill that continues to gut the health care of everyday Americans who are already living with this Trump economy, where costs aren’t going down, but they’re going up. Inflation is going up. Donald Trump and Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on Day 1.”

Jeffries noted that if the ACA subsidies expire, tens of millions of Americans could see the cost of health care increase by thousands of dollars a year.

“Democrats are fighting to protect the health care of the American people,” he said.

Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., seemed to be on the same page.

The last time this happened, in March, Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to avoid a shutdown.

This time, it seems like both chambers are in lockstep.

House Republicans have also been staying united, telling members on a phone call that they believe the general public is going to side with them on the issues.

Republicans are claiming Democrats want to provide health care to people who are in the U.S. illegally, something Democrats have pushed back on.

But in the Washington Post, Sen. Republican Leader John Thune said in an op-ed, “There’s a difference between careful discussion and negotiation during the appropriations process and taking government funding hostage to jam more than a trillion dollars in big government spending in a funding bill designed to last mere weeks.”

Republicans are casting blame on the Democrats as government workers who could face furloughs or layoffs wait to find out what will happen.

“We think the American people are gonna suffer because these guys won’t do the right thing,” said Vice President JD Vance.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
January 6 pipe bombing suspect named five years after infamous plot

Five Years On: Suspect Identified in January 6 Pipe Bombing Plot

The FBI has apprehended a Virginia man, identified as Brian Cole, in…
Dramatic videos show Las Vegas driver speeding, crashing into cars, killing 3, prosecutors say

Shocking Footage Captures Las Vegas Driver’s Fatal High-Speed Collision, Resulting in Three Deaths

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Recently released footage reveals a driver deliberately racing…
Terry Bradshaw's co-host admits truth about legend's retirement

Co-Host Reveals Surprising Details About Terry Bradshaw’s Retirement

Curt Menefee has a clear message for anyone curious about Terry Bradshaw’s…
'Camp Rock 3' teaser drops: Jonas Brothers return as Connect 3 in Disney's long-awaited sequel with new cast 

Jonas Brothers Reunite for ‘Camp Rock 3’: First Teaser Unveils Exciting New Cast in Disney Sequel

LOS ANGELES — Get ready to relive the magic because we’re heading…
Husband charged with DUI after wife's fatal fall from golf cart in Nocatee neighborhood

Tragic Nocatee Incident: Husband Faces DUI Charges After Wife’s Fatal Golf Cart Fall

In a distressing turn of events that has left a Nocatee family…
Loyola New Orleans TPUSA chapter denied again after 'absolutely appalling' student government meeting: student

Controversial Denial: Loyola New Orleans TPUSA Chapter Faces Rejection Amid Heated Student Government Debate

The student government at Loyola University has once again rejected a bid…
Crayola building cubes recalled over magnet ingestion risk

Crayola Recalls Building Cubes Due to Magnet Ingestion Hazard

CreateOn has issued a recall for approximately 9,400 Crayola-branded magnetic building cubes…
Gwyneth Paltrow raises eyebrows with her personal  Christmas wishlist

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Surprising Holiday Wishlist Revealed

Move over, Goop gift guide—Gwyneth Paltrow is giving fans a peek into…