Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he offered Democrats a chance to address their top priority — expanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies — but the move was not enough to end the government shutdown.
“I told them. I said and I said, ‘We’re willing to talk.’ I said, ‘If you need a vote, we can guarantee you’ll get a vote by a certain date.’ At some point, Democrats have to take yes for an answer,” Thune told MSNBC in an interview that aired Thursday.
Schumer rejects the GOP’s claims
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed Thune’s claims, saying Republicans have not formally proposed a vote.
“Look, we’re not negotiating in public. Plain and simple. Leader Thune has not come to me with any proposal at this point,” Schumer said Thursday afternoon.
Democrats have demanded health care fixes to prevent steep increases in insurance premiums for low- and middle-income Americans before supporting any government funding.
Shutdown continues, 10th GOP funding bill fails
On Thursday (October 16), the Senate failed for the tenth time to pass a government bill on financing the government of the Republican Party. Lawmakers are expected to leave Washington later in the day, so the shutdown is likely to last until at least Monday.
Thune attempted a procedural vote on a bill to fund the Defense Department for a full year and ensure troop pay, but Democrats blocked the debate.
Thune: Government must reopen before ACA negotiations
Thune emphasized that reopening the government is the first step to discussing health care reforms. He reiterated that while the conversation and vote can be guaranteed, the outcome cannot.
“I believe there is a way forward, but does it have to include reforms, and can I guarantee an outcome? No. And that’s what people want to see — to guarantee us that it will pass. I can’t guarantee that it will pass. I can guarantee that there will be a process and you will get a vote,” Thune said.
Republicans hold their ground
Spokesman Mike Johnson echoed Thune’s remarks, saying no health care outcomes could be promised.
“There’s no way Leader Thune can guarantee Chuck Schumer any outcome on this because we haven’t finished those considerations. I mean, it’s as simple as that,” Johnson said Thursday morning.
Thune added that both parties have a shared interest in keeping health care costs low, but negotiations must begin after the government reopens.
Democrats are demanding immediate action
Democrats are standing firm and pushing for a deal that addresses health care while reopening the government. Schumer criticized the lack of immediate engagement from GOP leaders.
“The American people are facing one of the most devastating spending crises they’ve ever faced, and we still haven’t heard a peep about any negotiations with Johnson or Thun,” Schumer said.
Uncertain shutdown end
Thune declined to predict when the shutdown would end, including whether it would end before Thanksgiving.
“I hope it doesn’t last past Thanksgiving because it’s going to hurt the American people a lot,” he said.
Read also | US government shutdown continues as Senate rejects temporary funding bill for 10th time
