Senate shutdown standoff deepens
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Majority Leader John Thune are digging in ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline to keep the government open, showing little evidence of budging even as both sides have agreed to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House today.
Republicans say Democrats need to help them pass a simple extension of government funding by Tuesday to avoid a shutdown, and they will not agree to negotiate until after it’s approved. Democrats say they want immediate talks on health care, and they are willing to shut down the government if they don’t get concessions.
A shutdown is “totally up to the Democrats,” Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“The ball is in their court.” Thune said. “There is a bill sitting at the desk in the Senate right now, we could pick it up today and pass it, that has been passed by the House that will be signed into law by the president to keep the government open.”
Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the same program that “it’s up to them” whether Republicans will negotiate when the two sides meet at the White House on Monday.
“God forbid the Republicans shut the government down,” Schumer said. “The American people will know it’s on their back.”
The Senate standoff is just the latest in annual disagreements over funding, but hopes are dimming for a quick resolution. Democrats have suggested they are more willing than ever to allow a shutdown as they face demands from their base voters to fight harder against Trump and the Republican-led Congress. Some even argue that a shutdown might not make much difference because Trump has slashed so many government jobs already.
“We’re hearing from the American people that they need help on health care,” Schumer said. “And as for these massive layoffs, guess what? Simple, one-sentence answer: they’re doing it anyway.”
The Senate is expected to vote on the House-passed bill to extend government funding on Tuesday, ahead of the 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline to avert a shutdown. The bill would keep the government open for another seven weeks while Congress finishes its spending bills.