Senate Democrats on Friday moderated their demands to resolve the US government shutdown but are insisting on a one-year extension of expiring healthcare subsidies in exchange for their votes on a temporary spending bill.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies have been a focal point in discussions during the current 38-day shutdown, the longest in US history, highlighting ongoing divisions between the two parties. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer characterized the proposal as a “simple compromise” and a “reasonable offer,” stating that “the Senate could do this within a few hours.”
However, Senator Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana with strong ties to party leadership, dismissed the proposal. “No, we’re not going to do that,” Daines asserted on Fox News, insisting the GOP’s priority is to reopen the government.
Amid the shutdown, airlines across the US have begun canceling flights, with the US Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandating airlines to reduce operations at 40 major airports. This started with a 4% reduction on Friday, escalating to a 10% target by the end of next week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight reductions could reach as much as 20% if the government shutdown continues to affect air traffic control staffing.
Food assistance has come to a halt for approximately 42 million Americans. A federal court judge recently ordered the Trump administration to release funds for food aid, although the White House is currently appealing the decision.
Initially, Senate Democrats sought to attach $1.5 trillion in spending to the negotiations, including a $350 billion permanent extension of the ACA tax credits and a repeal of new Medicaid work requirements established by Republicans this year.
Later on Friday, the Senate is scheduled to conduct a procedural vote on a bill aimed at compensating federal workers who have not received pay during the shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated the possibility of holding votes over the weekend on a stopgap bill to keep lawmakers in Washington as negotiations continue.
Thune has committed to holding a vote on ACA tax credits this year but could not guarantee their passage. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not made any commitments regarding a vote.
