Both Republicans and Democrats in Washington are warning that a government shutdown could occur next week unless President Trump intervenes to broker agreements with Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has been vocal about his reluctance to negotiate with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Due to Senate rules, measures require 60 votes to advance, meaning Democratic support is essential.
On Friday, Senate Democrats voted decisively against the measures sent to the House as Republican absenteeism prevented even a simple majority from forming. Only Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) backed it.
Democrats argue it’s time for Thune to start negotiations, especially since it has become clear he lacks the necessary 60 votes for a seven-week funding measure passed by the House.
However, sources within the Republican party indicate that Thune is hesitant to begin discussions with Schumer until Trump offers some clarity on what he’ll agree to. So far, Trump has not given Senate leaders straightforward guidance about his preferences.
Thune mentioned that the White House needs to consider its position before a deal can be reached, noting that he hasn’t had a direct conversation with Trump about this while his team has been in touch with White House officials.
The Democrats are pushing for a halt to government fundraising and want to extend health premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire soon.
Thune acknowledged that Republicans are discussing the matter, but a unified stance has not been reached yet.
“We’ve had considerable discussion on this topic, and obviously, the White House will need to get involved in the conversation eventually,” Thune stated.
GOP leaders suggested that Trump places significant emphasis on this issue but admitted he had only spoken about it with his staff.
Thune appears to be cautious, perhaps trying to avoid a replay of the July-August scenario, during which he sought a deal with Schumer for expediting confirmation of over 140 stalled administrative candidates, only for the agreement to be scuttled by Trump shortly after.
A Republican senator, wishing to remain anonymous, remarked that GOP leaders should be mindful not to advance negotiations with Schumer without Trump’s input.
There are varying opinions on whether the deadlock between Thune and Schumer regarding the Affordable Care Act premium subsidy is resolvable, with some suggesting Trump has not authorized a way forward.
Some lawmakers mentioned previous discussions about extending grants during budget negotiations earlier this year, which included many of Trump’s priorities.
A senator highlighted the political sensitivity surrounding the Affordable Care Act, indicating that there is interest among Republicans to address it.
“I would expect Thune to consult the White House about how to navigate the challenge with grants,” the senator noted.
Members from both parties anticipate that Congress will not secure government funding until Trump actively engages in resolving the issues at hand.
Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said that Trump’s lack of involvement is a key hurdle in brokering a deal.
“Trump advised Republicans against negotiations, which doesn’t really make sense. We need to talk things through,” he said.
While he expressed concern over the current situation, he also mentioned that time is on their side since the funding deadline is the end of the month.
Welch continued, “We need to have a productive discussion here. We can’t just talk in circles, and it would be great if the President facilitated some positive talks to benefit the American people.”
In contrast, Trump has indicated a more pessimistic view on reaching a deal following the failed funding bill from the House.
“We’ll keep the dialogue going with Democrats, but I think you can expect a closed country for a bit,” Trump said. “We will take care of the military, social security, and those essentials.”
Trump expressed a belief that Democrats would eventually concede, referencing a similar scenario in March when Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats supported a six-month funding plan initiated by the House.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) voiced skepticism, suggesting that Democrats are “bluffing” and that Trump should refrain from negotiations.
“What’s with the government shutdown threat? [Democrats] are reluctant, but Schumer will turn it into a spectacle,” he commented.
Democrats, however, assert that the current situation is distinct from March.
“They shouldn’t count on securing the same votes as before,” said Senator Angus King, a Democrat and independent who supported a GOP resolution in March but opposed the recent House funding proposal.
