Senate Democrats shot down a House-passed stopgap bill to fund the government, not budging on their demand that ObamaCare premium tax subsidies be extended ahead of their year-end expiration.
Nearly all Senate Democrats voted against the bill, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) was the sole Democrat to vote for the measure.
Democrats were joined by two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).
Democrats tried to pass their own version of a continuing resolution that contained health provisions, but Senate Republicans blocked their proposal.
Government funding is due to expire Sept. 30. Federal departments and agencies will be forced to curtail operations and furlough workers unless Congress passes a continuing resolution in the next 11 days.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Friday maintained that he would only support a clean extension, free of added Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
“I made it very clear that I wanted the Senate to return to regular order consideration of appropriations bills. I was not and am not interested in funding government through last-minute backroom deals,” Thune said.
Schumer argued that a government shutdown will be on Republicans for their failure to negotiate with Democrats. He noted how the government avoided a shutdown during the Biden administration as Democrats agreed to negotiate across the aisle.
“When we were in the majority for four years, there was not a shutdown. Not one. Why? Because we did what you’re supposed to do — talk in a bipartisan negotiation, and each side has input,” Schumer told Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (Wyo.). “We did it the right way. You are not.”
Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.
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