By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time is running out in Washington tonight, with just hours left to prevent a government shutdown. If lawmakers can’t strike a deal before midnight, much of the federal government could grind to a halt and thousands of workers across the country would be affected.
At the center of the standoff are partisan divisions over a short-term plan to keep the government funded. The sticking points remain sharp. Democrats are pushing to reverse recent Medicaid cuts, protect key Affordable Care Act subsidies and block the White House from slashing funds already approved by Congress.
Democrats say millions of Americans depend on the ACA subsidies to keep health insurance affordable.
Meanwhile, Republicans argue Democrats are dragging out negotiations with unrealistic demands. Even though the GOP controls Capitol Hill and the White House, they still need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate to pass any short-term funding bill. That’s because of a procedural rule known as the Senate filibuster. It’s the only source of leverage Democrats have in Washington right now, and they’re leaning on it.
Adding to the tension, federal agencies have been told to use this moment to prepare for sweeping layoffs if the shutdown goes forward.
The House passed a Republican short-term spending plan over a week ago, but that measure failed in the Senate. Even if there was a compromise, the House has nothing on the schedule this week, and most House Republicans are out of town.
Tonight, Senate Democrats and Republicans are planning to vote on their individual plans again this evening. As long as there are no major surprises, both measures are likely to fail and the government would shut down at 12:01 a.m.
With just hours to go, both sides continue pointing the finger at the other — Democrats demanding action on those ACA tax credits, while Republicans blame a potential shutdown on Democrats.
“Later means never. They don’t want to do this — the Republican leaders — because they’re right-wing. It’ll divide their party. The right-wing hates ACA altogether. But we have to get it done. The way to do this is the president — who was really listening to us — tells the Republicans to do it,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY.).
“This really sits right in the hands of Senator Chuck Schumer, who leads the Senate Democrats. Before tonight’s midnight deadline, he can do the right thing and make sure the votes are there to pass a clean spending bill that will keep the government open and keep it serving the taxpayers,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY.).
