US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Saturday urged a meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss urgent measures to prevent a government shutdown, as federal funding is set to expire on September 30.
In a letter addressed to Trump, Schumer and Jeffries said Republican congressional leaders had repeatedly and publicly refused to engage in bipartisan negotiations to keep the government open at the direction of the president.
Healthcare is at the center of the fight over funding, with Democrats seeking more money for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and the restoration of funding cut from the Medicaid healthcare programme for lower-income Americans.
‘Will Not Support A Dirty Spending Bill’
“Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position. We are ready to work toward a bipartisan spending agreement that improves the lives of American families and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis,” Schumer and Jeffries wrote.
“However, we will not support a dirty spending bill that continues the Republican assault on healthcare.”
Short-Term Funding Bill Rejected
The Senate on Friday rejected a short-term funding bill and then left town for a week-long break, increasing the odds of a shutdown.
In recent years, Congress has found it increasingly difficult to pass spending bills on time due to deepening partisan divisions, repeatedly bringing the US government to the brink of shutdowns — risking unpaid salaries for federal employees and disruption of essential public services across sectors.
“With the September 30th deadline fast approaching, Republicans will bear responsibility for another painful government shutdown because of the refusal of GOP congressional leadership to even talk with Democrats,” the two leaders wrote.
“As a result, it is now your obligation to meet with us directly to reach an agreement to keep the government open and address the Republican healthcare crisis.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
