Government funding bill heads to Senate, potentially causing another U.S. government shutdown
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a short-term spending bill to extend government funding for seven weeks, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the Senate. The bill, if approved, would generally continue existing funding levels through Nov. 21.
However, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has threatened a government shutdown if health care isn't addressed, a stance that Republicans are using against him. Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, stated that Schumer himself said that passing a clean CR (Continuing Resolution) will avert a harmful and unnecessary shutdown.
Several Senate Democrats have proposed an alternative government funding plan that includes extending endangered Obamacare subsidies and correcting related fiscal provisions to avoid a government shutdown. The Democratic proposal would extend enhanced health insurance subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts.
Democratic leaders are adamantly opposed to the bill and are threatening a government shutdown if Republicans don't let them have a say on the measure. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis, has stated that the president's signal for a shutdown is his statement not to even talk to Democrats.
On the other hand, House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to persuade fellow Republicans to vote for the funding patch. The vote in the House was 217-212 in favour of the bill.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill, along with a dueling Democratic proposal, but neither is expected to win the 60 votes necessary to advance. The Democratic measure to fund the government has no chance of passage on Friday, but it gives Democrats a way to show voters their focus on cutting health care costs.
Trump urged House Republicans to pass the bill and put the burden on Democrats to oppose it. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, has stated that the health insurance, ACA, is going to hammer millions of people in the country, including in red states, and it can't be put off.
Schumer and other Democratic leaders are now united and say things have changed since March. Schumer's last-minute decision in March to vote with Republicans to keep the government open caused a temporary schism with some Democrats, including Jeffries.
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
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