"The United States government appears to be heading for a shutdown on Tuesday, as Democrats and Republicans each blame the other for the lack of a breakthrough on health care and spending. A House measure that would extend funding for federal operations for seven weeks to allow lawmakers to finish their work on annual spending is at stake. If it is not passed by the Senate before midnight (0400 Wednesday GMT), it would cause the first such shutdown in the US in almost seven years."
"The standoff comes as the Democrats, who hold a minority in both chambers of Congress, seek to use their little remaining leverage over the government. According to Senate rules, government funding bills need to receive 60 votes to pass seven more than the Republicans currently control in the 100-member chamber. Democrats are calling for hundreds of billions of dollars in health care spending to be restored, particularly in the so-called Obamacare health insurance program for low-income households."
A potential federal shutdown could begin if the Senate fails to pass a seven-week funding extension before the deadline, risking the first shutdown in nearly seven years. Democrats in the Senate are leveraging their minority position to demand restoration of hundreds of billions for health care, especially funding for low-income households through the Obamacare program. Senate rules require 60 votes to pass funding bills, leaving Republicans short of that threshold. The Trump administration and Republicans favor eliminating the funding and using rescissions to cut previously approved amounts. A recent White House meeting produced no agreement and tensions remain high.
Read at www.dw.com
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