In remarks on the Senate ground Tuesday, get together leaders continued to level fingers at each other as time ticked nearer to the midnight deadline for the federal government to close down if Congress cannot move a funding measure.
“Republicans have supplied up a clear nonpartisan funding extension, the identical type of extension Democrats have repeatedly supported up to now and Democrats are blocking it for their very own partisan functions,” Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned.
Thune once more made a pitch for a “clear” invoice that extends funding by mid-November.
“We are able to move this immediately. We are able to move it proper now all you need to do is get help type the Democrats. The Home has handed this,” Thune mentioned.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries flanked by Rep. Pete Aguilar and Rep. Katherine Clark speaks on the steps of the Capitol, in Washington, Sept. 30, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
However Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer held agency to his perception that Republicans will personal this shutdown for refusing to barter with Democrats on well being care priorities.
“They name it clear we name it extraordinarily partisan. Not one dialogue, Home or Senate, between the 2 leaders. That isn’t the way you negotiate and that’s not the way you move appropriation payments,” Schumer mentioned.
Democrats insist that any deal consists of restoring $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts handed into legislation this summer season on high of a everlasting extension of the Obamacare subsidies set to run out on the finish of the yr, saving medical health insurance for 3.8 million individuals at a value of $350 billion over the subsequent decade, in line with the Congressional Funds Workplace.
Whereas Home Republicans handed a stopgap measure to maintain the federal government open by Nov. 21, the measure stalled within the Senate, the place Thune will want at the very least seven Democrats to vote for it to move.
Republicans crafted a clear seven-week funding invoice to be able to create extra time for congressional appropriators to work by common order: 12 separate full-year funding payments. Congress has not handed all 12 appropriations payments by common order since 1997, and the duty has been accomplished solely 4 instances since 1977 when present price range guidelines took impact.
Thune is anticipated to power the Senate to vote repeatedly on the Home’s clear seven-week funding invoice. His purpose is to power Democrats to forged repeated votes in opposition to funding the federal government.
In the meantime, President Donald Trump appeared to waver Tuesday on whether or not there could be a shutdown whereas persevering with to push false claims about what Democrats need within the funding invoice.
“Nothing is inevitable, however I might say it is most likely doubtless, as a result of they need to give well being care to unlawful immigrants, which can destroy well being care for everyone else in our nation. And I did not see them bend even a bit bit after I mentioned, we won’t do this,” Trump mentioned within the Oval Workplace.
However he later mentioned, “We’re not shutting it down. We do not need it to close down as a result of we’ve the best time period ever. I instructed you, we’ve $17 trillion being invested. So the final particular person that wishes to close down is us.”
Trump mentioned Democrats have been “taking a threat” in not supporting the Republicans’ clear persevering with decision, “due to the shutdown, we will do issues medically and different methods, together with advantages. We are able to reduce massive numbers of individuals. We do not need to do this, however we do not need fraud, waste and abuse.”
ABC Information confirmed final week that the White Home had alerted companies to arrange for furloughs forward of a doable authorities shutdown and in addition threatening mass firings that would turn into everlasting if a shutdown shouldn’t be averted.
Trump appeared open to extra discussions earlier Tuesday as he returned from a speech to generals and admirals with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. Requested if he would discuss to Democrats earlier than the deadline, Trump replied, “Sure.”
Earlier Tuesday, 150 Home Democrats rallied on the Home steps, presenting unity as every get together makes an attempt to put blame for a lapse in funding.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries fired up Democrats, addressing a deepfake video generated by synthetic intelligence shared Monday night time by President Donald Trump, which disparaged Jeffries and Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer.
“Mr. President, permit me to reintroduce myself,” Jeffries mentioned, quoting the opening lyrics from Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” and receiving a loud spherical of applause from the caucus. “I am the Home Democratic Chief. Our caucus is 217 members sturdy. We serve in a separate and coequal department of presidency. We do not be just right for you. We work for the American individuals.”
Within the publish on his social media platform, Trump shared the video that introduced Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Jeffries throughout their remarks on the White Home after assembly with Trump and Republican leaders, however dubbed Schumer saying disparaging issues about his get together.
The video additionally confirmed Jeffries carrying a sombrero, prompting Jeffries to name it “bigoted.”
“Mr. President, the subsequent time you’ve got one thing to say about me, do not cop out by a racist and pretend AI video. Once I’m again within the Oval Workplace, say it to my face!” Jeffries boomed.
Jeffries sharply criticized Home Republicans for canceling votes this week.
“Disgrace on them for being on trip all throughout the nation and the world over on the eve of a authorities shutdown,” he mentioned. “They’re on trip as a result of they’d slightly shut the federal government down than shield the well being care of the American individuals. That is unfathomable, that is unacceptable, that is unconscionable, and that is un-American. Do your job.”
Jeffries and Schumer met Monday afternoon on the White Home with Trump, Thune, Home Speaker Mike Johnson, Vice President JD Vance and others however left with no deal.
Johnson posted Tuesday morning that Schumer and Democrats are “planning to SHUT DOWN the federal government — merely to oppose President Trump and appease their far-left base.”
On the White Home driveway after the assembly, the Democrats and Republicans blamed one another for not reaching an settlement to maintain the federal government funded.
Schumer instructed reporters within the White Home driveway that “massive variations” stay — significantly on well being care.
A couple of minutes later, Vice President JD Vance joined Republicans in saying a shutdown was more and more doubtless.
“I feel we’re headed to a shutdown as a result of Democrats will not do the best factor,” Vance mentioned.
ABC Information’ Isabella Murray and Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.
