WASHINGTON (AP) – A looming deadline, Congress charged Monday to shut down the federal government when Republicans dismiss Democrats’ demands Save your medical funds From reductions while Democrats discover new things Willing to play hardballeven if that means closing offices and services.
Republican leaders are ready to call Democrats’ bluffs probably this week, and the test votes are End of month deadline To keep the government running.
GOP leaders said they could vote for a short-term spending bill that would ensure the federal government is fully operational when the new budget year begins on October 1st.
House Speaker Mike Johnson He said the measure would include funding to increase security for lawmakers. assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also said the Trump administration is asking Congress to raise $58 million for security for former US S-Service and the Supreme Court. And the Senate is considering its own proposal.
“I want everyone in the sound of my voice to understand. Members of Congress are safe,” R-La. Johnson spoke at the Capitol on Monday. “They’re kept safe. They now have security measures in their homes and personally. We can always strengthen and do more.”
In past budget battles, it was Republicans who were willing to engage in the threat of closure as a way to focus their attention on demand for priorities. That was the situation inside The longest shutdown in Japan2018-19, when President Donald Trump was insisting federal funds to build a US-Mexico border wall.
However, this time, Democrats Faced with intense pressure It is taking a tougher position, even when it means stopping funding the federal government from its supporter base and refusing to fund its administration’s policies.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer With him House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries They unite by opposing laws that do not include major medical regulations.
They have been particularly focused on the possibility of a surge Healthcare Premium If Congress fails to extend its enhanced grants, many will use it to buy insurance in affordable care law exchanges. These grants were introduced during the COVID crisis but have been set to expire.
Schumer argues that Republicans and Trump are responsible for not negotiating bipartisan deals.
“If one side refuses to negotiate, they’re going to cause a shutdown,” Schumer said.
But Trump called for Republicans to stay united and tried to lock in responsibility for the Democratic closure.
“In times like these, Republicans must stick together to fight back against the demands of the radical Left Democrats and vote “Yes!”
Senate majority leader John Toon said if the House acts, senators would also prefer to vote before leaving town. They are expected to finish the session all week. The fiscal year is approaching September 30th, and Congress must take action by then to avoid partial closures.
Top Republicans on the Senate and House Budget Committee are urging the government to fund the StopGap spending bill until November 20th. However, Congress leaders said there was no final day set.
It is unclear whether Democrats will support a temporary funding bill to avoid government disruptions if consultations on healthcare issues are underway.
Jeffries issued a statement in response to Trump’s social media comments, saying premiums are rising sharply and millions of Americans have lost coverage. He also warned that hospitals, nursing homes and community-based clinics are being closed nationwide.
“Hospital Democrats don’t support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to hamper healthcare for the American people. That’s all about this closure fight, Jeffries said.
There is support on both sides of the political aisle for expansion Tax credit It has become a more affordable health insurance for millions of people COVID-19 (COVID-19) Pandemic. However, there are still differences in how it is.
Democrats are like that Threatening to vote to shut down If Republicans don’t extend the grants that were first introduced in 2021 and extended when they controlled Congress and the White House a year later, the government will be at the end of the month. Tax credits are sent to low- and middle-income and middle-income individuals who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Without the tax credit, health insurance costs will soar for millions next year. There is a Congressional Budget Office Estimated The number of people without insurance would increase by 2.2 million in 2026, and if Congress fails to act, it would increase by 3.7 million the following year.
Schumer and Jeffreys threatened to shut down, but other Democrats say they can support a “clean” bill that will continue their current spending as long as they have guarantees from Republicans about healthcare and other democratic priorities.
Sen. Tim Kane (D-Va.) said he would vote for a stop bill “if there is limited time to reach the solution.”
Thune indicated that the ongoing resolution is likely not to include efforts by some Republicans to include sanctions against countries that import oil from Russia.
“We hope it’s ripe here soon, but I think one of the things that’s going to happen before the president places secondary sanctions is that European allies will join us,” Thune said. “Unless all allies join us, we will minimize the effectiveness of sanctions.”
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Staff writer Mary Claire Jaronic contributed to this report.
