Arizona politicians discuss battle over health care, spending ahead of possible shutdown

PHOENIX — The federal government is just hours away from its first partial shutdown in seven years, but Congress continues to be engaged in a partisan standoff.

However, one Arizona Republican believes that a bill could still be passed before the government shuts down at midnight Eastern time.

“Sure, it could be,” U.S. Rep. David Schweikert told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday. “The House passed what they call a clean continuing resolution. I despise these things, but the appropriation bills, because you have to get to 60 votes in the Senate … they just haven’t been finished.”

Schweikert added that this is a similar situation to what Congress faced in March, when a six-month spending bill was approved.

This time around, House Republicans have proposed a stopgap funding measure that would keep the federal government open through Nov. 21, but in order to get a bill passed by midnight, Democrats are looking for Republicans to negotiate “in good faith,” especially when it comes to health care, according to U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton.

“We want to negotiate so we can reach (an) agreement and keep this government open,” Stanton told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday.

What is the issue that could lead to a government shutdown?

The main sticking points for Democrats are cuts to Medicaid in the One Big, Beautiful Bill, which was passed over the summer, and the extension of tax credits that help millions of people nationwide afford health care through the Affordable Care Act.

“If we just do a continuing resolution that the Republicans want to do, millions of Americans will lose their health care under the Affordable Care Act. Twenty million Americans will have their premiums doubled. That’s not acceptable to us,” Stanton said.

Due to that, Stanton said Republicans and President Donald Trump need to come back to the negotiating table to hammer out a deal.

“If you want our votes, then you have to listen to what we’re standing for,” Stanton said.

However, the president said he is done negotiating, as he said the deal that passed the House is noncontroversial, according to The Associated Press.

That leaves Schweikert doubtful that a deal will be reached.

“I’m fearful that you know we’re going to see the game where to get to the 60 votes in the Senate, the Democrats are going to require more and more and more spending,” Schweikert said. “And that’s going to force us into a few days of shutdown.”

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