On Day 19 of the government shutdown, the third-longest in modern history, Arizona Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly expressed optimism Sunday that lawmakers could resolve the stalemate and reopen the government as soon as this week, urging Republicans to negotiate on expiring health care subsidies.
“We should be able to wrap this up this week, if they will sit down and have a negotiation with us,” Kelly said on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” reiterating the Democrats’ demand to address expected skyrocketing health insurance premiums if enhanced tax credits are not extended.
However, Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt, appearing on the same program, pressed Democrats to “do the right thing” and reopen the government first.
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She stated that Republicans are willing to discuss the health care issue, but only after funding is restored. Britt criticized the Democrats’ position, saying, “Those two things do not match up, and Democrats need to actually be honest about it and get the government back open.”
Despite conversations among lawmakers, congressional leaders have not met since the shutdown began on September 29.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has offered to guarantee a vote on the tax credits, but only once the government is reopened. Kelly insisted that the president and congressional leaders “need to get in the room and stay in a room until we can hash this out.”
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