Republicans quickly reject Democrats

WASHINGTON – Republicans on Friday rejected a Democratic proposal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history that included a vote to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of expiring health insurance subsidies for people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act.

“After so many failed votes, it’s clear we need to try something different,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday in a speech on the Senate floor. “All Republicans have to do is say ‘yes’ to extending the current law for one year.”

But Republicans quickly rejected it, insisting that Senate Democrats first agree to make reforms to the program, including an income cap on eligibility and a phase-out.

“It’s a horrible idea,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said of Schumer’s offer. “We could go home and start over. It’s disappointing that they think this is what the government is going to open.”

Democrats’ offer is not much different from their basic demand of the past six weeks — a vote for government funding in exchange for an extension of Affordable Care Act health care subsidies — but it is significantly narrower than what Democrats have previously demanded.

The Democrats official alternative Republicans’ core government funding bill includes a permanent an extension of expiring health care tax credits, plus a repeal of Medicaid cuts that Republicans enacted earlier this summer, plus new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s ability to cut spending through so-called rescissions.

However, unlike House Democratic leadership, which last month ruled out a one-year extension of ACA subsidies, Senate Democrats have kept their demands narrower and more open, insisting only that Republicans come to the table and negotiate with them on health care.

Schumer said Friday that his offer would respect the GOP’s position not to negotiate with Democrats on health care until the government is open, as it would simply include “an extension of the current law.” He said the offer also includes a new bipartisan committee to negotiate a future health care compromise.

Photo AP/J. Scott Apple White

Republicans rejected Schumer’s proposal almost immediately, reiterating that any talk about extending health care subsidies can only happen after Democrats vote to reopen the government.

“Democrats are openly negotiating with themselves,” an aide to the Senate Republican leadership told News themezone: “A complete sign of desperation on the part of ‘Leader Schumer,’ as sane members of his caucus are ready to abandon ship.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters that the Democrats’ offer is “an indication that they are feeling the pressure.”

“I guess you could characterize this as progress, but I just don’t think it’s anywhere close to what we need to do here,” he added.

Democrats’ new bid to end the shutdown comes as the negative effects of the funding stalemate grow worse: millions of households are not receiving food benefits, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are working without pay, and hundreds of flights are canceled or delayed.

While Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are at risk for more than 20 million households, Democrats have remained focused on the expiration of health care subsidies that help more than 20 million Americans buy health insurance on the ACA exchanges.

“Unless this United States Senate acts, the people we represent will lose health care,” said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on the Senate floor.