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Government Shutdown Looms as Democrats Reject House Funding Proposal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) rejected a 91-page stopgap funding proposal put forward by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and fellow House Republicans because it was crafted without Democratic input. The proposal, which would fund the government through Nov. 21, does not extend generous health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and does not address the expiration of enhanced health care premium subsidies.

Democratic leaders now say they need to take a stand against the House bill because Republican leaders have refused to meet with them to craft the measure. "By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown," Schumer and Jeffries said in a joint statement. Schumer accused Johnson of politicizing the process by "refusing our multiple requests to sit down and talk and doing his own CR without a single conversation with Democrats." He and Jeffries accused Republican leaders of taking their marching orders from President Trump.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) rejected a 91-page stopgap funding proposal put forward by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and fellow House Republicans.
  • The proposal, which would fund the government through Nov. 21, does not extend generous health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and does not address the expiration of enhanced health care premium subsidies.
  • Democratic leaders say they need to take a stand against the House bill because Republican leaders have refused to meet with them to craft the measure.
  • Schumer accused Johnson of politicizing the process by "refusing our multiple requests to sit down and talk and doing his own CR without a single conversation with Democrats."
  • At least one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.), has already said he won't vote to shutter federal departments and agencies.
  • One Republican, Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), an outspoken fiscal conservative, said he will vote against the stopgap because it doesn't do enough to cut spending.
  • Senate Democrats discussed putting together their own short-term funding bill that would include language to stave off rising health care costs and to restrict Trump's ability to use pocket rescissions.
  • Any funding stopgap needs 60 votes to overcome a Senate filibuster.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D) acknowledged Tuesday that the possibility of a government shutdown appears to be growing.
  • The House bill would fund the government through Nov. 21 and would provide $58 billion to increase security for executive branch officials and the Supreme Court in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • It would also provide $30 million to improve security for members of Congress back in their home states and districts.

Statistics:

  • The government shutdown would happen September 30.
  • The House bill would fund the government through Nov. 21.
  • The bill would provide $58 billion to increase security for executive branch officials and the Supreme Court.
  • It would also provide $30 million to improve security for members of Congress back in their home states and districts.
  • Any funding stopgap needs 60 votes to overcome a Senate filibuster.
  • At least one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.), has already said he won't vote to shutter federal departments and agencies.

Sources:

  • Alexander Bolton
  • "Senate Democrats reject House funding proposal, saying it's a 'non-starter'" by Alexander Bolton (date not specified)

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