WASHINGTON (AP) — As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans are headed to the White House on Tuesday, not for emergency talks on how to end it but to show solidarity with the president. donald trump Because they refuse to negotiate on Democratic demands.
Senate Democrats are also confident in their strategy. continue to vote against bills passed by the House of Representatives That would reopen the government until Republicans, including Trump, commit to an extension. Expired medical aid At the end of the year.
With no signs of movement on either side, it is unclear how long the stalemate will last, even as hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been killed. You will miss out on your salary again. In the coming days, states are sounding the alarm that critical federal programs will soon expire completely. And with Senate Republicans intensifying their pursuit and President Trump following their lead, it seems unlikely for now that the White House meeting will result in a bipartisan resolution.
Senate Republican Leader John Thune, D-R.S., said Monday that “I think the president is willing to engage in the discussion” about extending the aid. “But I don’t think they’re ready to do that until (Democrats) open up the government.”
Salaries are not paid and programs are underfunded.
The Capitol remains in a state of suspension, but the effects of the shutdown are worsening. Federal employees will no longer receive additional paychecks, with no certainty as to when they will ultimately receive their paychecks. government services such as Special supplemental nutrition programs for women, infants, and childrenknown as WIC, and head start Preschool programs serving poor families face the possibility of their funding being cut. On Monday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said of the National Nuclear Security Administration: Furloughing 1,400 federal employees. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that cities across the United States are experiencing air traffic controller shortages and flight delays.
Still, there was little sense of urgency in Washington, with both sides believing the other would eventually relent.
“Our position remains the same. We want to end the shutdown as quickly as possible and resolve the looming ACA premium crisis for 20 million hardworking Americans,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.) said Monday, referring to expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire in December.
Schumer called the White House meeting a “pep rally” and said it was “shameful” that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) had adjourned the House during the shutdown.
November deadline
Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge that as the government shutdown drags on, it becomes less likely that Congress will be able to extend aid or fund the government through the normal spending process. The House Republican bill, which Senate Democrats have now rejected 11 times, would only keep the government functioning until Nov. 21.
Thune suggested Monday that Republicans may propose a long-term extension of current funding instead of passing a separate spending bill if the government shutdown doesn’t end soon. “Congress needs to pass an extension beyond Nov. 21, unless it’s something longer term,” he said.
Democrats are focused on Nov. 1, when next year’s ACA enrollment period begins and millions of people sign up for insurance. Without expanded subsidy support It started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once those signatures begin, they say it will be much harder to restore the subsidies, even with a bipartisan compromise.
“Americans will soon have to make some very difficult choices about which health care plan to choose next year,” Schumer said.
What about Trump?
Tuesday’s White House meeting will be an opportunity for Republican senators to talk with the president about the government shutdown after he takes office. Get more involved in foreign policy and other issues.
The president last week dismissed Democrats’ demands as “insane,” adding: “We’re not going to do it.”
Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota said Republican senators plan to discuss strategy with the president during lunch Tuesday. “Of course we talk to him about it and he gives us his ideas and we discuss our ideas,” Hoeven said. “We will do everything we can to get Democrats on board and pass Republican legislation to reopen the government,” Hoeven said.
Still, Republican lawmakers expect Mr. Trump to maintain his current stance of refusing to negotiate until the government opens.
“Until they put something reasonable on the table, I don’t think there’s anything to talk about,” said Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.
Democrats have said they believe Trump needs to be more involved in reopening the government.
“He needs to get off the sidelines and off the golf course,” said Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.Y.). “We know that Republicans in the House and Senate will do nothing without the permission of their boss, Donald J. Trump.”
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Associated Press writers Kevin Freeking, Stephen Groves and Matt Brown contributed to this report.
