President Trump warned that a government shutdown could happen soon unless Democrats change their stance. He expressed uncertainty about how to resolve the budget standoff during a phone call with CBS News.
Trump believes the public will support him if funding runs out and thinks Democrats will face backlash for not agreeing to his terms for spending cuts. He criticized them for not caring about issues like government waste.
On Monday, Trump plans to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the looming October 1 deadline for a budget agreement.
Sources say Trump might welcome a shutdown, seeing it as an opportunity to use executive power to cut various government programs. Recently, the Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to agencies, advising them to prepare for possible layoffs if a shutdown occurs.
Trump pointed to Democrats’ current demands, such as extending health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, as misplaced. He argued that if they want to talk about healthcare, they must also address immigration issues. He reiterated his stance against what he calls “open borders.”
Democrats have pushed back against Trump’s comments, pointing out that current laws prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed that there’s no attempt by Democrats to change this law, asserting that they focus on protecting the healthcare of American citizens.
As negotiations unfold, both sides face challenges. The House recently approved a GOP-led resolution to fund the government until November, while Democrats proposed extending funding until late October, which includes additional priorities such as health care. However, neither bill has enough support in the Senate to move forward.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that the ball is in Democrats’ court to prevent a shutdown, noting that a House-passed bill is ready to be acted upon.
Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar emphasized that her party is unified on the healthcare issue and sees this as a critical moment for the nation. She highlighted the pressure facing American families due to rising insurance premiums.
In summary, as talks continue, the stakes remain high. Whether a government shutdown will occur depends heavily on bipartisan cooperation in the coming days.
For context, historically, government shutdowns have been used as political tools. The last major shutdown in 2018-2019 lasted 35 days, highlighting the disruption such events cause to everyday lives and federal services.
For more insights on political negotiations and budgets, check reputable sources like The Pew Charitable Trusts that analyze government spending and policy changes.
