Republicans Urge Unity Ahead of Potential Government Shutdown
House Republican leaders have called on their members to remain unified as a government shutdown looms. During a conference call on Monday, they discussed their strategy: to encourage Senate Democrats to accept a straightforward short-term continuing resolution to keep federal agencies funded.
This conversation came as GOP members were spread across the country, following Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to cancel planned voting days on Monday and Tuesday. The House is not scheduled to reconvene until next week.
Republicans are hopeful that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will eventually agree to a temporary funding measure. This is despite the Democrats’ insistence on addressing key priorities, like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire at the year’s end.
Conservatives contend that the ACA contributes to rising federal spending and increasing national debt, especially through Medicaid expansion and premium subsidies. Moreover, some critics point out that premiums and deductibles have surged in certain markets due to new regulations and coverage demands faced by insurers.
A Republican participant in the call remarked about Schumer, saying, “He’s screwed either way. He has no good choices because he’s put himself on this path, and he didn’t come up with solutions prior to getting to the cliff. Now he’s at the cliff, and he’s either going to jump with a half-full parachute or he’s going to jump with no parachute.”
Earlier this month, the House passed a temporary bill drafted by Republicans to fund the government until November 21; however, the Senate quickly rejected it.
If a shutdown does occur, joint press conferences by House and Senate Republican leaders are anticipated later this week. Sources indicated that there are currently no plans to bring House members back to Washington this week, even if the government shuts down, pointing out that the chamber has already done its part by passing the stopgap bill. While some members disagreed with this approach, most described the conference call as largely cohesive.
In contrast, Democrats criticized Republicans for canceling votes right before a potential shutdown, arguing that lawmakers should be present in Washington to negotiate. House Democrats have arranged a meeting in the Capitol for Monday evening, despite the cancellations.
Additionally, President Donald Trump is set to meet with four top congressional leaders on Monday afternoon at the White House.
