Thune Holds Steady as Government Shutdown Continues

As the government shutdown nears its fourth week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remains firm in his position, refusing to bend to the demands of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Schumer and his Democratic colleagues appear to be advocating for a solid agreement on the expiring Obamacare subsidies. Thune has indicated a willingness to entertain negotiations, but only after the government reopens.

Yet he’s made it clear that he won’t be cutting any behind-the-scenes deals with Schumer, a practice that was more common during the tenure of previous Democratic leadership in the Senate.

“I’ve experienced how decisions have been mostly made by a handful of individuals in Schumer’s office,” Thune explained. “That’s not how I believe a government should function.”

Thune, who describes his leadership style as a bottom-up approach, is encouraging his fellow Republican senators to engage with Democrats. His aim seems to be to develop a solution to the shutdown collaboratively, rather than merely acting on directives from one side.

A proposal to address expiring grants has surfaced, contingent on the government reopening, but it comes with certain conditions, and Thune can’t promise any particular outcome.

“I told the Democrats we’re aiming for a solid vote by a specific date,” he noted. “But honestly, I can’t guarantee a win, and even if I could, who knows if it would pass in the House?”

Despite the proposal, Schumer and his caucus have maintained their stance, continuing to block Republican attempts to reopen the government for the tenth time on Thursday. This blockage guarantees the continuation of the shutdown into next week, coinciding with a long weekend.

The situation is further complicated by Republicans’ push for reforms to Obamacare subsidies, which, initially enhanced during the pandemic, are set to expire at the year’s end. Democrats countered a House-passed Continuing Resolution, which sought to indefinitely extend the program as it stands.

According to a report from the Congressional Budget Office, an indefinite extension of these subsidies would amount to approximately $350 billion over the next decade.

Thune has been somewhat vague about the specific reforms Senate Republicans have in mind, but he has suggested the need to control the costs associated with the program.

“There’s really no incentive to manage expenses,” Thune observed. “When insurers get direct subsidies to enroll as many individuals as possible—well, they’re just going to do that, even if the people don’t realize it.”

Meanwhile, Schumer is urging President Donald Trump to take a more active role in the negotiations, expressing that the president’s prior discussions with Republican leaders at the White House needed to be more effective in avoiding a shutdown.

When asked if he believes Trump will engage further, Thune remarked, “I think he will,” but he reiterated that the government needs to be restarted first.

“That’s essentially the position the White House has taken,” he added. “The president wants to contribute meaningfully, leverage his experience, and resolve issues. He may be willing to converse, but he won’t impose his will.”