Lawmakers Continues to be Gridlocked on Shutdown Before Monday Vote
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Leaders from both major parties remain far apart on how to end the partial shutdown as another day of voting looms on Monday.
In individual Sunday discussions, the House's top Democrat and House speaker each pointed fingers at opponents for the ongoing impasse, which will begin its fifth consecutive day on Monday.
Health Insurance Emerges as Major Sticking Point
The primary dividing issue has been health insurance. The minority party want to guarantee premium assistance for low-income individuals remain active and aim to reverse reductions in the public health program.
A bill to fund the government has passed the House, but has consistently stalled in the Senate.
Accusations and Counterclaims Grow
The opposition leader alleged conservative lawmakers engaged in "being dishonest" about Democrats' intentions "as they trail in the court of public opinion". However, the GOP leader said the opposition is "lacking seriousness" and participating insincerely - "their actions serve to get protection from criticism".
Legislative Schedule and Parliamentary Obstacles
The Upper chamber plans to resume work Monday following lunch and once again take up a two separate continuing resolutions to support the government. Simultaneously, The minority caucus will meet Monday to consider next steps.
The House speaker has prolonged a chamber vacation for several days, meaning the House of Representatives will not be in session to address a appropriations measure if the upper chamber modifies legislation and find compromise.
Senate Arithmetic and Political Realities
GOP maintains a slim advantage of 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, but all appropriations bills will need three-fifths support to be approved.
In his television discussion, the Republican leader contended that liberal lawmakers' denial to approve a stopgap appropriation that continued present spending was unnecessary. The medical coverage subsidies in question continue through the December 31st, he said, and a Democratic proposal would include excessive increased appropriations in a short-term funding solution.
"Adequate opportunity exists to resolve that issue," he said.
Immigration Claims and Healthcare Debate
He also contended that the financial assistance would be ineffective against what he says are major problems with medical coverage systems, including "unauthorized migrants and able-bodied young men lacking children" using Medicaid.
Some Republicans, including the Vice-President, have portrayed the Democrats' position as "attempting to provide medical coverage to undocumented immigrants". Democrats have denied those claims and illegal or undocumented immigrants are unqualified for the programs the opposition is backing.
Opposition Viewpoint and Medical Worries
The Democratic leader told morning shows that liberal lawmakers consider the consequences of the terminating assistance are critical.
"We're fighting for the healthcare of working Americans," he said. "Should conservative lawmakers persist in denying to continue the healthcare law subsidy, many millions of working Americans are going to experience significantly higher insurance costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and deductibles."
Public Opinion Reveals Widespread Criticism
New polling data has determined that Americans view the approaches of all legislators of the government closure critically, with the President also netting a negative reception.
The poll found that four-fifths of the approximately 2,500 US citizens interviewed are very or somewhat concerned about the shutdown's effect on the financial markets. Only twenty-three percent of those polled said the GOP stance was worth a shutdown, while 28% said the same of liberal lawmakers' stance.
The polling found citizens attribute responsibility to the Administration leader and GOP legislators most for the situation, at nearly two-fifths, but the opposition trailed closely at 30%. About nearly one-third of respondents said each faction were at fault.
Growing Consequences and Executive Statements
Meanwhile, the results of the closure are beginning to mount as the shutdown drags into its second consecutive week. On recently, The prominent museum announced it had to shut down operations due to lack of funding.
The Chief Executive has frequently suggested to utilize the closure to enact widespread firings across the national administration and reduce government departments and programs that he says are valuable to Democrats.
The details of those proposed eliminations have remained undisclosed. The president has contended it is a chance "to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud. Billions of Dollars can be conserved".
When inquired concerning the warnings in the television appearance, the GOP leader said that he had not seen details, but "the condition remains disappointing that the chief executive opposes".
"I desire the opposition counterpart to make appropriate decisions that he's maintained during his three-decade tenure in Capitol Hill and support continuing the government open," the House speaker said, adding that as long as the impasse continues, the White House has "to make tough decisions".