As the government shutdown enters its second week, Democratic lawmakers have argued that the tide is turning toward negotiations as some hard-line Republicans have expressed support for extending health care subsidies, despite Republican leaders’ outright opposition to any agreement ahead of reopening the government.
Ending the standoff appears impossible in the short term. A vote targeting that goal had similar results as before, with the Republican continuing resolution going down to a sixth, 54-45. Three Democratic Caucus members also voted in favor: Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Angus King of Maine, and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The Democratic Party’s continuing resolution was also blocked.
As for the parameters of a potential deal, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., once again ruled out a one-year extension of the subsidies. Democrats have called for a permanent extension of the premium tax credit, but when asked by reporters whether a two-year extension was possible, Jeffries did not rule it out.
“It is clear that Republicans now recognize that we must do something about the health care crisis they have created in this country,” he said. “But now it’s up to them to sit down in good faith and discuss how we are going to end their shutdown and fix the health care system they have broken.”
One Republican was at the Capitol to offer a deal. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., ambushed Jeffries after the press conference and asked him to sign a one-year extension of the grant, which he co-sponsored and supported by a handful of Democrats.
As the debate heated up, Lawler said, “You wish the Republicans were here, but here I am.” “We can pass the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extension and sign it into law right now.”
Jeffries said Lawler had “embarrassed him” and that he was “Donald Trump’s lackey.”
“It’s not even a bill that Republicans are prepared to introduce,” Jeffries said. “Bro, do you know math?… There are 220 Republicans in the House right now, so you come to me with a bill with 11?”
major obstacle
But Democrats also say Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is a major obstacle while conservatives like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-La., support the idea of extending the expiring premium tax credit to reduce costs for people who buy health insurance through the marketplace.
“Johnson is a real obstacle,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DY) told reporters Wednesday. He said a cadre of House Republicans were adamantly opposed to renewing the expanded tax credit, making Johnson reluctant to vote. Schumer said he was doing so despite 50 to 80 Republicans in a tight race who were “very eager.”
“Ultimately, the only way to solve this problem is for the four leaders and Trump to agree,” Schumer said.
The tax credit, expanded to cover more Americans in its original form in the 2010 health law, expires Dec. 31. Some estimates predict that premiums could more than double if the deductible is not renewed.
Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said that in informal discussions, Republican senators said they wanted to “get a grip” on the biggest stumbling blocks, but were at an impasse.
“Every move we make is going to be complicated now because of Mike Johnson,” Gallego said. “From what they say, it seems like even if we get something, Johnson is just screwed… But I just don’t understand why Marjorie Taylor Greene would give 20 million Americans the perfect benefit to save them on their insurance premiums.”
Sen. Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.) said President Donald Trump’s recent comments about wanting to negotiate with Democrats and the desire of some conservatives to expand subsidies show a changing trend. But the most he heard from Republicans was a promise to discuss the issue later.
“As the public hears more about our priorities, they seem to be quite reasonable,” he said. “It seems quite unreasonable for the other side to refuse to negotiate.”
Fetterman, who has repeatedly voted in favor of the Republican continuance resolution, was seen in Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office Wednesday morning, but did not disclose what the two discussed.
“We need to open up the government, because that is fundamentally wrong,” he told reporters. He said lawmakers could consider such an extension, but not with the government now being held hostage.
Thune said the two communicate “fairly regularly” and that their conversations are about the “big picture.”
Thune said it was unlikely the chamber would operate all weekend. “I don’t know what good it would do,” he told reporters, but offered the possibility of a weekend meeting “if enough Democrats come to their senses and want to have a conversation about how to open the government.”
Other Republicans on Wednesday amplified the theory that the stalemate hinges on anti-Trump protests scheduled for Oct. 18, arguing that Democrats want to extend the shutdown until the rally ends.
“I wonder if many of us are waiting to disrupt left-wing protests first,” said Rep. Mike Rounds, R.D.
“There are all kinds of timing issues,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., referring to the rally. “I’m sure liberal progressives won’t want to capitulate between now and then.”
He said further delays could require funding the government beyond the Nov. 21 deadline for Republicans to end the stopgap measure.
Schumer said the rally was a red herring.
Asked about Rounds’ comments, Schumer said, “I don’t know where he made that claim. I’ve never heard that claim.” “I’ve never heard a single Democrat in the Senate or House make this claim.”
Aidan Quigley and David Lerman contributed to this report.
