Republicans Quickly Reject Democrats' Offer On Ending Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — Republicans on Friday spurned a Democratic proposal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history that included a vote to reopen the government in exchange for a yearlong extension of expiring health insurance subsidies for people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act.

“After so many failed votes, it’s clear we need to try something different,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a Senate floor speech on Friday. “All Republicans have to do is say ‘yes’ to extend current law for one year.”

But Republicans quickly shot it down, insisting that Senate Democrats first agree to make reforms to the program, including an income cap for eligibility and a gradual wind-down.

“It’s a horrible idea,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) said of Schumer’s offer. “We might as well go home and start over again. It’s disappointing that they think that this is what’s going to open the government.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/democrats-compromise-offer-ending-shutdown-200206316.html

Another weekend of shutdown looms as senators prepare to hole up in Washington

The Senate found itself once again gridlocked on Friday and geared up for another weekend of the government shutdown. However, a flurry of proposals and counterproposals offered glimmers of hope that the two sides could be moving toward a compromise.

Lawmakers debated multiple options on the Senate floor through the day — from a bill to end the shutdown to another to simply pay federal workers — but saw each side object to the other's efforts.

Late Friday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a new Democratic plan to reopen the government if a one-year extension of enhanced Obamacare healthcare subsidies were attached.

Republicans immediately rejected that — as did Democrats of the GOP's efforts — but a day of both sides at least talking was a contrast to weeks of noncommunication.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/another-weekend-of-shutdown-looms-as-senators-prepare-to-hole-up-in-washington-210322104.html