A different government shutdown? Here’s what we know now
The federal government has shut down again, but how is it different than the past 20? Here’s what we know now.
WASHINGTON – The federal government shutdown entered Day Seven on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with still no deal in sight after Senate Democrats for the fifth time rejected a Republican-backed bill to fund the government through Nov. 21
But in a significant shift, President Donald Trump is now expressing openness to one of Democrats’ main policy demands – that expiring subsides in the Affordable Care Act be extended.
“If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal. Sure,” Trump said Monday when asked by a reporter whether he’s willing to make a deal with Democrats on the expiring Obamacare subsidies for lower-income families.
The White House and Republican leaders in Congress have previously said they won’t negotiate health care policy under after the government is reopened. But Trump said he’s started talking to Democrats about the subject.
“We have a negotiation going on with the Democrats that could lead to good things,” Trump said. “And I’m talking about good things with regard to health care.”
Trump did not identify the Democrats who are part of the discussions. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected Trump’s claims that negotiations over health care are taking place between the president and Democrats.
“Trump’s claim isn’t true — but if he’s finally ready to work with Democrats, we’ll be at the table,” Schumer said in a statement.
The senator added: “If President Trump and Republicans are finally ready to sit down and get something done on healthcare for American families, Democrats will be there — ready to make it happen.”
‒ Joey Garrison
Although about 750,000 federal workers have been placed on furloughs during the shutdown, President Donald Trump hasn’t followed though on his warnings of mass layoffs across the federal workforce.
The White House last week said layoffs were “imminent.” Russell Vought, the White House director of Management and Budget, told Republican lawmakers last Wednesday on Oct. 1 that reductions in force would begin in “a day or two.”
But so far, it’s been all threats and no action.
Trump on Monday said mass layoffs remain on the table. “It could,” Trump said when asked whether another defeat in the Senate of Republicans’ funding bill could lead to layoffs. “At some point it will.”
‒ Joey Garrison