Government to shut down after midnight barring last minute breakthrough
6 hours ago
- #health care subsidies
- #Congressional standoff
- #government shutdown
- Congress is heading towards a government shutdown due to an impasse between Democratic and Republican leaders over funding negotiations and expiring health care subsidies.
- Senate Democrats are refusing to back the spending bill to push for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and repeal GOP-enacted health care program cuts.
- A meeting between congressional leaders and President Trump ended without a deal, with Democrats vowing to continue pushing for health care concessions.
- President Trump posted a racist AI-generated video targeting Democrats, which was condemned by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
- Republicans accuse Democrats of 'hijacking' the process, while Democrats blame Republicans for not negotiating a bipartisan agreement.
- A shutdown could lead to delays in federal services, unpaid federal workers, and potential permanent layoffs of nonessential employees.
- Critical services like Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid payments will continue, but programs like WIC (nutrition assistance for mothers and children) may be quickly affected.
- The White House's memo on permanent layoffs is seen by Democrats as an intimidation tactic.
- Senate votes on funding bills are expected before the deadline, but neither party's proposal is likely to secure the needed 60 votes.