Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said on CNN Wednesday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer holds the key to ending the government shutdown.
The federal government shut down at midnight Wednesday after lawmakers were unable to approve a temporary spending measure before the deadline.
Pressed during an appearance on “The Arena with Kasie Hunt” on how long the shutdown could drag on, Jordan didn’t hesitate.
“I have no idea. The one person who can answer that question is Chuck Schumer,” Jordan said. “Ask Chuck Schumer, ‘How long is it going to last?’ Because all he’s got to do is vote for what he did before.”
The fight over the government shutdown centers on healthcare, with Democratic leaders demanding an extension of the Biden-era Obamacare subsidies.
The Congressional Budget Office projects that making the subsidies permanent would add $350 billion to the deficit between 2026 and 2035.
Democrats refused to back down from their healthcare demands, while Republicans held the line on a clean funding bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for roughly $1.5 trillion in new spending on Obamacare and Medicaid, a proposal that Republicans rejected.
Republicans insist on resolving government funding before debating any tax credit expansions. President Donald Trump met with congressional leaders Monday in a last-ditch effort to prevent a shutdown, but talks broke down without a deal.
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