Vote in the SenateThe US is facing a solution to the government shutdown conflict
The longest government shutdown in US history may be coming to an end. It now appears that Republicans and Democrats are moving toward an agreement.
After 40 days of partial government shutdown, a solution has emerged in America’s budget dispute. The US Senate is set to vote on Sunday (local time) on reopening the government. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said senators planned to vote on the House-passed bill later Sunday.
However, this must be changed so that it can combine short-term financing efforts with a package of three budget laws for the full year. The package of changes must then be passed by the House of Representatives and submitted to President Donald Trump for his signature, which could take several days.
Democrats have so far blocked funding efforts to pressure Republicans into agreeing to a health care solution. This includes expanding expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare. Under the compromise being discussed, the Senate would agree to hold a separate vote on the grants at a later date.
“I am not prepared to accept vague promises about a vote at an unspecified date on an unspecified measure to expand the health care tax credit,” said Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. However, he predicted there would be enough support from the Democratic Party to pass the bill. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said the growing impact of the government shutdown was now pushing the council to reach a deal.
Trump wants direct payments
President Trump rejoined the debate on Sunday. He called for replacing the ACA’s health insurance subsidies with direct payments to individuals. On his social media platform Truth Social, he called the subsidies “a windfall for health insurance companies and a disaster for the American people.”
But US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump’s idea would not be introduced until lawmakers passed funding legislation. The shutdown, which has lasted for 40 days, is the longest in US history. As a result, federal employees were forced to furlough and, among other things, food aid and air traffic were impacted.
