Jeffries accused Republicans of “lying” about Democrats’ intentions in the negotiations “because they’re losing the court of public opinion”. But Johnson said Democrats are “not serious” and negotiating in bad faith – “they’re doing this to get political cover”.
The Senate is expected to reconvene Monday afternoon and once again take up a pair of continuing resolutions to fund the government. Meanwhile, House Democrats will meet Monday to discuss the situation. Johnson has extended a House recess through the week, meaning Congress’ lower chamber will not be in session to take up a funding bill should the Senate make any changes and come to a deal.
Republicans hold a narrow majority of 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, but any funding measure will require 60 votes to pass.
In his interview with NBC, Johnson argued that Democrats’ refusal to approve a short-term spending bill that kept funding at current levels was unnecessary. The healthcare tax credits at issue don’t expire until the end of the year, he said, and a Democratic proposal would add too much new spending in a seven-week stopgap measure.
“We have plenty of time to figure that out,” he said.
He also argued that the tax credits would not help address what he says are major problems with healthcare policy, including “illegal aliens and able-bodied young men without dependents” using Medicaid.
Some Republicans, including Vice-President JD Vance, have cast the Democrats’ position as “trying to give healthcare benefits to illegal aliens”. Democrats have denied those claims and illegal or undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the schemes the Democrats are supporting, BBC Verify reports.
Jeffries told NBC’s Kristen Welker that Democrats feel the consequences of the expiring credits are dire.
“We are standing up for the healthcare of hard-working American taxpayers,” he said. “If Republicans continue to refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credit, tens of millions of American taxpayers are going to experience dramatically increased premiums, copays, and deductibles.”
Jeffries criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of the shutdown and his social media posts aimed at Democrats, saying “that behavior is outrageous”. “We need serious leadership,” he said.
Jeffries added that Republican leaders have stopped communicating with Democrats and accused them of negotiating in bad faith.
“As Democrats, our view is that we will find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues to reopen the government, to actually pass a spending bill that meets the needs of the American people,” Jeffries said. “But we have to decisively address this Republican health care crisis that is devastating hard-working American taxpayers.”