Republican Senators Head to White House as Democrats Stand Firm on Healthcare Subsidies

The Senate failed again on Monday to end the government shutdown, as Democrats stood firm in their demands that Republicans extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. It’s the 11th time the bill was rejected by the Senate. Republicans say they want to talk about extending the ACA subsidies once the government reopens. 

“I think the president’s ready to get involved on having the discussion” about extending the subsidies, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). “But I don’t think they are prepared to do that until (Democrats) open up the government.”

Senate Republicans are heading to the White House on Tuesday for lunch in the Rose Garden. Senators view it as a chance to talk shutdown strategy with the president, after foreign policy dominated much of the president’s time in the past week. 

“Obviously, we’ll talk to him about it, and he’ll give us his ideas, and we’ll talk about ours,” said Senator John Hoeven (R-ND). 

But Democrats are dismissing the meeting. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the White House lunch a “pep rally.”

“Our position remains the same, we want to end the shutdown as soon as we can and fix the ACA premium crisis that looms over 20 million hardworking Americans,” said Senator Schumer. 

And both Senator Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for House Speaker Mike Johnson to call the House back into session, a position that Speaker Johnnson says is unnecessary, given that the House already passed its continuing resolution. 

However, some Republicans like Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), are also pressing Speaker Johnson to recall the House over the shutdown. 

“This is going to last, and it’s not fair to ask our federal workers to be working without a paycheck,” said Rep. Obernolte. 

Federal Employee Pay 

Republicans are trying different tactics to increase the pressure on Democrats to break the stalemate.

One involves immediately paying “excepted” federal workers who are working during the shutdown without pay. 

Senate Republicans hinted they may force a vote on legislation that would do just that. Democrats are expected to block that vote however, over concerns it would empower the Trump Administration to pay employees that fit their agenda and furlough others.