WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump briefly signaled a willingness to negotiate with Democrats over health care subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), before quickly clarifying that no deal would happen until the government reopens.
Democrats have made extending ACA health subsidies — which help lower the cost of insurance plans — a key condition for supporting a short-term government funding measure. The standoff has kept the government partially shut down for six days.
“We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things,” Trump told reporters Monday. “And I’m talking about good things with regard to health care.”
The comment initially raised hopes that progress might be possible. However, Trump later posted on his social media platform reinforcing the Republican position that the shutdown must end first.
“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their failed healthcare policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our government to re-open. In fact, they should open our government tonight!” Trump wrote.
Democratic leaders swiftly denied that any talks were taking place. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries both said there had been no communication with the White House since a meeting the previous week.
“Trump’s claim isn’t true, but if he’s finally ready to work with Democrats, we’ll be at the table,” Schumer said.
Jeffries added that the White House “has gone radio silent” since their last meeting.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune said there “may be a path forward” on the issue of ACA subsidies but noted that it would depend heavily on the White House’s stance.
The president’s remarks came as the Senate voted on two separate funding bills — one from each party — neither of which secured the 60 votes needed to move forward. Both sides spent much of Monday blaming the other for the ongoing shutdown.
Thune pointed to dwindling funds for a key nutrition program for women and children, saying Democrats were “making the American people suffer.”
Schumer countered that Democrats were ready to negotiate “to reopen the government and address the health care crisis facing tens of millions of Americans,” but emphasized, “it takes two sides to have a negotiation.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, said Republicans had already done their part by passing a stopgap spending bill. “There’s nothing for us to negotiate,” Johnson said, urging Democrats to “stop the madness” and vote to end the shutdown.
With both parties dug in, the shutdown continues with no clear path to resolution, leaving federal workers unpaid and critical programs strained.