LOS ANGELES (OC0.–As the government shutdown nears a month, both parties in Congress are to blame for shirking their duties and damaging the U.S. economy to the tune of $15 billion as day in lost productivity. Playing a dangerous game of chicken House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should be ashamed for putting federal workers—including air traffic controllers—under unnecessary hardship, when a simple, common continuing budget resolution [CR] could end the shutdown. There’s simply no excuse for shutting down the government other than Jeffries pandering to his base that despises the Trump administration, looking for anyway to retaliate, including shooting themselves in the foot to score political points. With essential government employees working without pay, how can Jeffries and Johnson live with themselves?
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Johnson can’t look too good, when they’re in charge of both house of Congress, yet have the embarrassment of not working across the aisle to resolve the issue primarily due to President Donald Trump’s July 1 big beautiful bill that cut some $1.5 trillion out of the Medcaid system, claiming that noncitizens were receiving government health benefits. Whatever the fraction of noncitizens receiving some benefits in emergency rooms because of federal law, it’s a minute fraction of the over 70 million U.S. citizens receiving Obamacare or government subsidized health insurance. Republicans made a big mistake cutting the $909 billion Medicaid program, harming ordinary citizens but also hospitals, clinics and labs also dependent on Medicaid funding now all at risk of shutting down.
Democrats in shutting down the government wanted Republicans to agree to reinstate $1.5 trillion in Medicaid funding, rather than signing a continued budget resolution [CR] to keep the government funded while both parties haggle about money. When it comes to Medicaid funding, no matter how costly, it’s the best possible use of taxpayer funds, knowing the miniscule amount that goes in certain states to noncitizens. Republicans should not be so cavalier when it comes to health care spending, given that in the poorest red states they all count on Medicaid to pay health expenses. “Most Americans can’t understand why the federal government can’t function effectively enough to pass a budget and keep the government open,” said Republican polster Whit Ayres. Democrats believe that the public backs their position of reinstating Medicaid funding.
Recent polls show Democrats with a slight advantage over Republicans on who’s to blame for the government shutdown. But anyway you cut it, both parties are losing support for the shutdown, with a recent Reuters/Ipso poll showing Republicans blamed by the public slightly more than Democrats. “We still have an advantage, but it’s not as great as the advantage we had at the beginning,” said Democrat pollster Celinda Lake. Lake said Democrats are happy that they took a strong stand with Republicans, pushing the GOP into making concessions on restoring Medicaid funding. “The base is happy that we took a stand,” Lake said but now they want the shutdown to end. “They would have been furious if few had not because they were like, ‘when are the Democrats going to stand up and fight?’” Lake said.”It could help w ith turnout. But I still think we need to get a face on who we’re fighting for,” Lake said.
GOP pollster Whit Ayres thinks that pressure is mounting to end the shutdown but, more importantly, to continue Medicaid spending to cover Obamacare recipients whose premiums stand to skyrocket if government funding isn’t restored soon. “The trending line is initially people are blaming Republcians. That seems normal to me . . . because they control everything,” said Steve Jardin, Democrats strategist. Jardin thinks that if the shutdown drags on both parties will pay the price, especially with rising Obamacare premiums due to hit soon.
When these cuts [to subsidies] start coming in November, I think, ‘boy, things are going to ht the fan,” Jardin said with both parties impacted negatively. Cutting Medicaid funding was a glaring mistake by OMD Director Russell Vought whose extreme cost-cutting measure have backfired on Republicans.
Ending the shutdown has become a big priority for both parties only a few days away from November and the start of the holiday season. Both parties will take a hit if they can’t end the stalemate soon, with the blame game already played out, looking for an end to the shutdown. Democrat made their point to Republicans that something must be done about Medicaid funding, not just kicking the can down the road. Democrats want to see commitments on GOP leadership in the House and Senate to reinstating lost Medicaid funding. Once Jeffries or Senate Minority Leader Chuck Shumer (D-N.Y.) get reassurance about Medicaid funding Democrats will sign the new CR and open the government. It’s up to the Congress to act without depending on White House guidance. Congress under Article 1 controls the purse strings and it’s time for them to exercise their duty.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
