The comments appeared to represent a shift for the White House and Republican leaders, who have insisted that Democrats need to vote to reopen the government before they will engage in negotiations over health insurance tax credits. Trump, hours later, said he’d be willing to talk only after the government reopened.
“Trump’s claim isn’t true — but if he’s finally ready to work with Democrats, we’ll be at the table,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “If President Trump and Republicans are finally ready to sit down and get something done in healthcare for American families, Democrats will be there — ready to make it happen.”Democrats say they will not support the bill unless it addresses Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of 2025, as well as cuts to Medicaid implemented through Trump’s signature second-term spending law.
Trump suggested that there hasn’t yet been enough political pressure on either party to end the impasse, but signalled that there could soon be “a lot of good things” that will happen. At the same time, he said that “at some point it will” trigger layoffs of federal workers if the shutdown continues much longer.
Earlier Monday, when asked if the president had spoken to Democratic senators, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to say whether such conversations took place, but noted he had spoken with Republican congressional leaders.
Trump has said that he would use the shutdown to fire thousands more federal workers, who are normally furloughed during government closures.
The Senate on Monday, for the fifth time, rejected a House-passed stopgap bill to keep the government open through Nov. 21, which doesn’t include the subsidies Democrats have demanded. The vote was 52-42, and Republicans needed 60 votes to advance the measure.
After that vote, Trump on social media blamed Democrats for the impasse and called for them to relent — while indicating he’d be open to talks after the government reopened.
“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open,” the president said in a Truth Social post. “In fact, they should open our Government tonight!”
Democrats Say Promises InsufficientDemocrats say they will not accept a mere promise of talks before Dec. 31 on the Obamacare issue, looking for a more substantive concession. Republicans are unwilling to even promise a vote on the matter on the House and Senate floor, saying that the issue is too complex to weigh in on now.
In 2017, Republicans tried and failed to repeal the ACA, and they have not said exactly what changes to the system they would seek. Conservatives still hold out hope they can abolish the popular law and allow a return of high-deductible health plans with limited coverage, which they say will lower medical inflation.
Obamacare is not the only core demand Democrats are making. In recent days, they have stressed the issue of the administration’s refusal to spend money allocated by Congress. Democrats say the key to any agreement is provisions that would prevent the White House budget office from cancelling projects and shutting agencies funded by Congress.
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