- Partial shutdown starting midnight on Wednesday
- Address healthcare as a separate issue during comprehensive budget negotiations
- US has experienced 14 government shutdowns since 1980
United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress today, Monday, in a crucial effort to avert a government funding crisis.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the US federal government faces a partial shutdown starting midnight on Wednesday unless lawmakers can agree on a new spending bill.
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This standoff follows the rejection by Senate Democrats earlier this month of a Republican-drafted stopgap spending bill meant to keep the government funded until November 21.
Democrats argue that any spending bill must include provisions to expand healthcare coverage, specifically by reversing cuts to Medicaid that were part of Trump’s previous legislation. Republicans insist they should address healthcare as a separate issue during comprehensive budget negotiations.
While Republicans hold 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, they require at least 60 votes to approve spending bills in the upper chamber.
The Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer traded blame yesterday for the current impasse.
Thune stated the “ball is in their court,” while Schumer called the meeting with Trump “only a first step,” demanding a “serious negotiation.”
Failure to pass a spending bill by Wednesday’s deadline will result in the furlough of non-essential federal employees, who will not receive pay during the shutdown period.
The US has experienced 14 government shutdowns since 1980, with the longest lasting 34 days in late 2018 and early 2019.
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