Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer presented a proposal to Republicans on Friday (November 7) aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown. Schumer’s offer includes a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a stopgap funding bill, and three full-year funding bills.
In a floor speech, Schumer emphasized that the proposal is a straightforward extension of current law, aiming to reopen the government and address health care affordability. He suggested forming a bipartisan committee to negotiate long-term solutions for ACA subsidies and other health care reforms after the government reopens.
However, the proposal has faced resistance from Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected the plan outright, calling it a “non starter.”
“I think it’s an indication that they’re – I mean, they’re, they’re feeling the heat, and they know that their last proposal was unserious and unrealistic,” he told reporters.
In addition, Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the extension of subsidies, arguing it would benefit health insurance companies at the expense of taxpayers.
Despite the pushback, Schumer insisted that the offer is reasonable and urged Republicans to accept it.
The shutdown, now in its thirty-seventh day, has been marked by mistrust between Democrats and President Donald Trump. Democrats have expressed concerns about Trump’s commitment to extending health insurance subsidies and his history of freezing federal funds.
Schumer’s proposal comes after private discussions among Senate Democrats, who are seeking a unified approach to end the shutdown. The next steps remain uncertain, as the ball is now in the Republicans’ court to respond to the offer.
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