As the US government shutdown entered its second week, President Donald Trump said he would be “happy” to negotiate with Democrats on healthcare once the federal government reopens.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, saying, “I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open.”
Democrats have blocked a temporary funding bill for the fifth time, refusing to approve it unless the administration agrees to extend Obamacare subsidies and reverse cuts to healthcare schemes passed under Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The stalemate has left government departments without funds since Wednesday. With the shutdown continuing, AFP cited that salaries of hundreds of thousands of public employees are set to be frozen by Friday, and military personnel may miss their pay from October 15.
Trump has reportedly gone further than previous administrations, threatening to fire government workers rather than just furlough them -- the usual practice of sending staff on unpaid leave during funding gaps.
Democrats see this as a moment of leverage, AFP noted, in a political landscape otherwise dominated by Trump and his loyal Republican allies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer challenged Republicans to begin talks immediately, saying on X, “If he's serious about lowering costs and protecting the health care of the American people, why wait? Democrats are ready to do it now.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson instructed Republican members to stay away from Congress until Democrats back down, insisting that healthcare debates can resume only once government funding is restored.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Trump’s healthcare law could leave 11 million Americans without coverage, mostly through cuts to Medicaid. Democrats warn that another 4 million could lose coverage if Obamacare subsidies expire, while 24 million might see premiums double, AFP said.
Agencies such as NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Education Department have been hit hardest by furloughs, while Defence and Veterans Affairs departments continue operating with fewer disruptions, AFP cited.
A CBS News poll showed that Americans narrowly blame Republicans for the gridlock. AFP added that the White House’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned layoffs would begin “if the president decides that the negotiations are absolutely going nowhere.”
With inputs from AFP
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