Former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy criticized Democrats for declining to move a seamless decision to maintain the federal government open with no strings connected.
“I name it the ‘Seinfeld’ shutdown as a result of it is a shutdown about nothing,” the California Republican informed CBS Information chief Washington correspondent Main Garrett, referencing the widespread joke that the seminal sitcom was a “present about nothing.”
McCarthy known as the present deadlock “the reverse [of] the place Republicans have been in 2013,” when some GOP lawmakers pressed for a spending invoice that will roll again the Inexpensive Care Act, whereas Democrats pushed for a “clear” invoice to fund the federal government. The federal government finally shut down for 16 days earlier than Republicans ceded to Democrats.
This 12 months, Republicans are those pushing for a clear invoice that will preserve the federal government open at present spending ranges, whereas Democrats are asking for extensions to expiring medical insurance subsidies and a rollback of Medicaid restrictions handed earlier this 12 months.
Democrats say negotiations over medical insurance tax credit are needed instantly to forestall tens of millions of individuals from dealing with larger premiums. Republican leaders say they’re keen to barter on well being care, however solely after the shutdown ends.
McCarthy argued Democratic leaders are “looking for a message” and are “fearful” of the social gathering’s rank-and-file members.
One distinction from prior funding fights, McCarthy argued, is that the nation is extra divided now and both sides is blaming its opponents, so there is not a transparent narrative about who’s accountable.
An Related Press ballot revealed final week discovered 82% of Democrats assume congressional Republicans deserve an excessive amount of blame for the shutdown, whereas 73% of Republicans assume congressional Democrats are accountable.
