Trump Opens Door to Health Care Negotiations as Government Shutdown Enters Sixth Day

The Trump administration perceives the government shutdown as an opportunity to exercise greater control over budget decisions.

President Donald Trump expressed Monday his willingness to negotiate with Democrats regarding health care subsidies, a central issue in the ongoing shutdown dispute. This statement slightly opens the door to discussions that Republicans have insisted should only commence after government operations resume.

Trump simultaneously mentioned that "billions and billions" are being wasted, acknowledging conservative arguments against extending health subsidies that reduce costs for plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

"We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things," Trump stated. "And I'm talking about good things with regard to health care."

Trump's remarks represented one of few encouraging signs as the government shutdown entered its sixth day. Substantive negotiations between parties have been virtually nonexistent since the shutdown began, despite widespread impacts on federal services. Democrats continue urging Trump's involvement, with many asserting no agreement is possible without presidential approval.

It remained unclear whether the White House was communicating directly with Democratic senators or if administration officials were participating in the informal bipartisan discussions that have occurred recently.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune informed reporters "there may be a path forward" regarding ACA subsidies, but emphasized: "I think a lot of it would come down to where the White House lands on that."

These comments came as the Senate prepared for another likely unsuccessful pair of votes Monday on government funding. Both parties are attempting to increase pressure on their opposition to resolve the impasse.

Thune noted that a critical food aid program for women, infants and children was beginning to experience funding shortages, blaming Democrats and stating "now it's the American people who are suffering the consequences."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer indicated his party's readiness to collaborate with Republicans to "reopen the government and end the health care crisis that faces tens of millions of Americans."

"But it takes two sides to have a negotiation," Schumer added.

Earlier that day, both sides hardened their positions. House Speaker Mike Johnson declared "there's nothing for us to negotiate" while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries insisted the "time is now" to establish a health care agreement.

Johnson, R-La., told reporters they should stop asking why he wasn't negotiating to end the stalemate, asserting it was incumbent upon a handful of Democrats to "stop the madness" and pass a temporary spending measure previously approved by the House.

"We did the job to keep the government open, and now it's on the Senate Democrats," Johnson stated.

The House is not expected to convene this week, placing responsibility on the Senate to lead negotiations in the Republican-controlled Congress. Despite House members' absence, leaders from both parties have conducted nearly daily briefings to frame their arguments and attempt to shift blame for the shutdown.

Democrats are demanding renewal of subsidies covering health insurance costs for millions of households, while Republicans maintain this issue can be addressed later. Republicans argue these subsidies constitute a separate matter from temporarily funding government operations while both sides resolve differences regarding full-year spending.

Jeffries stated in an NBC "The Today Show" interview Monday that notices have already begun reaching Americans enrolled in health insurance exchanges established through the Affordable Care Act, indicating dramatic premium increases next year.

"That's what people are facing right now, which is why we need to address it," Jeffries explained.

This deadlock occurs amid troubling economic uncertainty. While the U.S. economy has continued growing this year, hiring has slowed and inflation remains elevated as the Republican president's import taxes have created business disruptions and undermined confidence in his leadership. Simultaneously, there's recognition that the nearly $2 trillion annual budget deficit is financially unsustainable.

The Trump administration views the shutdown as an opportunity to exercise greater budgetary control, with multiple officials indicating they plan to implement permanent job cuts affecting thousands of government workers during furloughs, an unprecedented approach.

Trump seemingly suggested Sunday night that layoffs were already occurring, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified Trump was referring to furloughs. During furloughs, employees cannot report to work but will return and receive retroactive payment once the shutdown ends. She confirmed layoffs remained planned if the shutdown continues.

This layoff rhetoric has intensified an already contentious situation where Washington lawmakers struggle to find common ground and establish mutual trust. Leaders from both parties believe public sentiment favors their position, placing pressure on opponents to yield.

Though job cuts would be Trump's decision, Republicans attribute blame to Democrats because of the shutdown.

Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California defended his party's position, arguing that potential health care cost increases would make insurance unaffordable for millions of Americans. He characterized it as a "crisis."

However, Schiff also noted the Trump administration has blocked congressionally approved spending. This essentially undermines the value of Democrats seeking budget compromises since the administration could prevent disbursement of funds from any agreement. The administration sent Congress approximately $4.9 billion in "pocket rescissions" on foreign aid, effectively withholding funds without allowing congressional review before the previous fiscal year concluded last month.

"We need both to address the health care crisis, and we need some written assurance in the law — I won't take a promise — that they're not going to renege on any deal we make," Schiff stated on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Nevertheless, resolution appears distant. The parties seemingly lack productive private discussions, even as Republicans insist they maintain dialogue with Democratic colleagues.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)