Because the government shutdown enters its second day, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Republican leaders’ refusal to concede to Democrats’ health care coverage calls for in change for his or her votes on federal funding.
“Don’t ask the Republicans what we must be doing or what we must be negotiating. I don’t have something to barter,” Johnson instructed reporters Thursday. “I despatched them in good faith precisely what they’d voted for earlier than. We didn’t put any Republican provisions in that, and we tried to make this quite simple, in good religion, so the appropriations strategy of the folks can proceed.”
Regardless of voting for almost the identical invoice a complete of 13 occasions in the course of the Biden administration, Senate Democrats have continued to vote down Republicans’ clear Persevering with Decision that will lengthen authorities funding for less than seven weeks.
“There’s nothing I can pull out of the invoice that was a Republican precedence to say that ‘oh, we gained’t try this, why don’t you guys vote for it now,’ Johnson stated. “I’m shocked that [Democrats] determined to close the federal government down and damage folks. It’s on them 100%.”
Democratic leaders vehemently oppose the invoice as a result of it does nothing to forestall the enhanced Obamacare Premium Tax Credits from expiring in December, a coverage concern that they consider should be addressed now to forestall tens of millions of People’ well being care premiums from spiking.
By refusing to barter now on well being care coverage and refusing to move Democrats’ $1.4 trillion counterproposal, Republicans “personal” the shutdown, Democrats argue.
“Republicans shut down the federal government as a result of they will’t be bothered to guard well being look after Americans throughout this nation,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., posted on X. “Premiums are set to greater than double! People can’t afford this.”
Johnson countered that extending the improved Obamacare subsidies is “not a easy concern” that’s “going to take weeks” to hammer out. He and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., have stated they are willing to discuss the issue with Democrats, however solely after the federal government reopens.
“We have now three months to try this. That’s not a difficulty for at this time – at this time, the one concern is whether or not they’re going to vote to maintain the federal government working for the folks,” Johnson stated. “In the event that they drag this one by way of the weekend, an increasing number of folks will probably be damage.”
Having voted on each CRs thrice already, the Senate is about to take action once more Friday and can nearly actually fail to move them. In a change of plans, nonetheless, Thune canceled a Saturday vote, which means the shutdown would final by way of the weekend.
Republicans and the Trump administration are hoping that enough rank-and-file Democrats will cave in by Monday and supply sufficient votes for Republicans’ CR to move with none well being care concessions.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
