🔗 Share this article

Getty Images

Democratic and Republican leaders continue to disagree on addressing the partial shutdown as further legislative action approaches on Monday.

In separate Sunday interviews, the Democratic leader and Republican leader each pointed fingers at opponents for the persistent gridlock, which will start its fifth consecutive day on Monday.

Healthcare Proves to be Major Sticking Point

The primary disagreement has been health insurance. Democrats want to ensure health insurance subsidies for those with limited means remain active and seek to restore cuts to the Medicaid program.

A measure supporting the government has passed the House, but has repeatedly failed in the Senate.

Accusations and Counterclaims Escalate

The opposition leader claimed GOP members were "being dishonest" about Democrats' intentions "due to their declining position in the court of public opinion". However, the GOP leader said Democrats are "unserious" and participating insincerely - "this approach helps to get political cover".

Government Calendar and Procedural Hurdles

The Upper chamber plans to return to session Monday in the PM and reconsider a pair of temporary funding measures to finance the government. Meanwhile, The minority caucus will meet Monday to consider next steps.

The GOP leader has continued a legislative break until next week, meaning Congress' lower chamber will not be in session to consider a budget legislation in case the senators propose amendments and find compromise.

Legislative Math and Partisan Realities

Conservative lawmakers possess a small edge of 53 votes in the upper legislative body, but any funding measure will require sixty approvals to become law.

In his Sunday interview, the conservative leader contended that Democrats' refusal to pass a stopgap appropriation that maintained existing budgets was unwarranted. The medical coverage subsidies being debated don't expire until the end of the year, he said, and a opposition plan would add too much increased appropriations in a short-term funding solution.

"Adequate opportunity exists to address that concern," he said.

Immigration Assertions and Healthcare Controversy

He also contended that the tax credits would not help address what he says are serious concerns with insurance regulations, including "unauthorized migrants and working-age males without dependents" utilizing Medicaid.

Some Republicans, including the Vice-President, have cast the Democrats' position as "seeking to offer healthcare benefits to unauthorized migrants". Democrats have denied those claims and illegal or undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the schemes the liberal lawmakers advocate.

Liberal Perspective and Healthcare Anxieties

The Democratic leader told Sunday news programs that liberal lawmakers consider the consequences of the terminating assistance are critical.

"We're fighting for the health insurance of US citizens," he said. "If the GOP maintains opposition to continue the Affordable Care Act tax credit, dozens of millions of US citizens are going to face dramatically increased monthly payments, co-payments, and initial costs."

Voter Sentiment Shows Broad Disapproval

Latest research has discovered that Americans view each side's management of the government closure unfavorably, with the President also netting a negative reception.

The survey found that eighty percent of the approximately 2,500 US citizens polled are very or somewhat concerned about the funding lapse's consequences on the economy. Only 23% of those polled said the GOP stance was justified the closure, while 28% said the equivalent for liberal lawmakers' stance.

The survey found the public faults the President and Republicans in Congress primarily for the impasse, at 39%, but liberal lawmakers followed shortly after at three-tenths. About 31% of US citizens surveyed said both sides were at fault.

Increasing Effects and Executive Warnings

At the same time, the effects of the funding lapse are beginning to mount as the impasse extends to its second consecutive week. On recently, The prominent museum announced it had to cease public access due to budget shortfalls.

The President has consistently warned to employ the closure to carry out extensive job cuts across the national administration and reduce federal operations that he says are valuable to Democrats.

The details of those potential cuts have not been released. The administration leader has stated it is a opportunity "to remove inefficient elements, unnecessary spending, and dishonest practices. Substantial funds can be conserved".

When asked about the statements in the television appearance, the Republican leader said that he had been unaware of particulars, but "this represents an unfortunate circumstance that the chief executive opposes".

"I desire the Senate leader to make appropriate decisions that he's maintained during his 30-plus year career in Congress and support continuing the federal operations running," the Republican leader said, adding that as long as the government was stalled, the executive branch has "needs to implement challenging measures".