WASHINGTON — Top Republican leaders are warning they won’t engage in negotiations if Democrats allow the government to shut down, marking the latest escalation between the two parties as they attempt to blame the other for a federal funding freeze.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., signaled that Republicans would not participate in spending talks with Democrats unless they vote for the Republican-led proposal, which would extend current funding levels until Nov. 21. The threat essentially pushes Democrats into a corner as they’ve repeatedly vowed to object to the GOP resolution unless it contains major concessions on health care policy.
“The negotiation happens when the government is open,“ Thune said. ”So let’s keep the government open, and then we will have the negotiation.”
Democratic leaders rejected that premise, arguing any shutdown would be Republicans’ fault because the party controls all three branches of government in Washington. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also accused his GOP counterparts of failing to include Democrats in negotiations, putting the onus on Republican leaders to kickstart a compromise.
“It’s in their court to solve it,” Schumer said. “It’s their shutdown and, as I said, they’re going to face tremendous pressure from the American people.”
The Senate is scheduled to vote at 5:30 p.m. on both the Democratic proposal and the Republican resolution that has already passed the House. Both are expected to fail.
Democrats maintain they won’t support GOP spending bill hours before deadline
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., reiterated that Democrats would not support any funding deal that does not extend Obamacare tax subsidies — something Republicans have refused to consider until a later date.
In remarks to reporters on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before federal funds are set to expire, Jeffries rejected any premise of supporting “a partisan Republican spending bill,” especially after attacks from the White House the day before.
“We serve in a separate and co-equal branch of government. We don’t work for you. We work for the American people,” Jeffries said. “And Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video. When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face.”
Jeffries’ latest comments come in response to an AI-generated video Trump posted of the House Democratic leader dressed with a fake sombrero and mustache while mariachi music plays in the background. Next to him is Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is depicted as saying Democrats “have no voters anymore, because of our woke, trans (expletive).”
The video was posted after Trump met with Jeffries and Schumer — as well as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. — on Monday afternoon for an 11th-hour negotiation to avoid a shutdown.
Trump responded to questions about whether he expects a pause in federal funding, telling reporters on Tuesday a shutdown was “likely.”
“Nothing is inevitable. But I would say it’s probably likely because they want to give healthcare to illegal immigrants, which will destroy healthcare for everybody else in our country,” Trump said, repeating GOP’s main messaging points. “And I didn’t see them bend even a little bit.”
Monday’s meeting ended with the two Democratic leaders telling reporters “significant and meaningful differences remain” between the two parties when it comes to health care policy as well as limiting the president’s ability to withhold federal funding that is approved by Congress.
Meanwhile, Republicans emerged predicting an imminent shutdown and placed the blame on their Democratic counterparts.
The meeting marked the first time in Trump’s second term that he met with the top Democratic leaders, and it’s the first time ever that Trump spoke face-to-face with Jeffries. The pair’s dynamic has been frosty in online exchanges as Jeffries has repeatedly criticized Trump and his leadership, while the president has largely ignored the top Democrat altogether. That dynamic only became more strained after Trump’s post on Monday evening.
State of play
House Republicans passed their version of a stopgap bill to extend current funding levels until mid-November, but that proposal has remained frozen in the Senate where it requires at least seven Democrats to support — something that has yet to materialize. Instead, Democrats are asking for more in return: to reverse the health care cuts approved in Trump’s tax package and to permanently extend Obamacare tax credits.
Republican leaders have balked at that demand, arguing such negotiations should be saved for a separate spending bill. But Democrats have expressed little faith their GOP counterparts will reauthorize the credits if it isn’t done now.
The Senate is expected to vote sometime in the afternoon or evening on the House-passed continuing resolution, although a final time has not yet been scheduled. If a bill is not approved by midnight, a shutdown will take place and federal agencies will initiate contingency plans Wednesday morning.
Essential services and mandatory spending programs will continue to function, but thousands of government workers will be furloughed and other offices will close their doors until further notice.
For example, funding for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid monthly payments are not affected because they are not subject to the annual appropriations process laid out by Congress.
Other mandatory funding that is typically not affected by the appropriations process include veterans benefits, law enforcement, border patrol, military operations, and air traffic control.
Programs can also continue if they have funding from elsewhere.
Democrats rejected opportunity to vote on alternate spending proposal
The House is convened for a pro forma session at noon, a mostly symbolic meeting that occurs during recess and does not involve voting on legislation.
However, Democrats filled the House chamber to demand a vote on their spending proposal. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, shouted to be recognized and request a vote but Rep. Morgan Griffith — the Republican member tasked with presiding over the chamber — refused to yield.
“Just a moment ago, I put forward a plan to keep the government open,” DeLauro said in a statement. “Republicans tanked it so they could remain on vacation while Americans struggle with the health care crisis they’ve created. It’s time to lower costs, cancel the cuts, and save health care.”
Griffith then adjourned the House until Friday afternoon, past the shutdown deadline. The House is not expected to return for votes until next week.