Chuck Schumer warns Trump not to ‘rant and yell’ or Democrats will force shutdown

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has given President Donald Trump a clear warning before their important White House meeting on Monday. He told Trump that Democrats will block government funding if the president only wants to use the meeting to score political points. With the government funding deadline set for Tuesday night, both parties are in a tense fight over healthcare subsidies and spending.

The meeting comes after Trump refused to sit down with Democratic leaders before, canceling an earlier meeting this week. Schumer said Democrats have been firm in asking for real talks rather than just accepting a Republican bill with no Democratic input. He told NBC that the tough Democratic approach is starting to work, forcing Republicans to bring them to the table.

According to The Hill, speaking on Meet the Press on Sunday, Schumer gave his warning to Trump about Monday’s meeting. “If the president at this meeting is going to rant and just yell at Democrats and talk about all his alleged grievances and say this, that, and the other thing, we won’t get anything done,” Schumer said. He added that he hopes for serious talks, but warned that Democrats would again vote down the House-passed government funding bill if Trump refuses to work with them in a real way.

Healthcare tax credits become the main issue

The biggest problem in the shutdown fight is the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, which will expire at the end of this year. Democrats want any government funding bill to include keeping these subsidies going, which help millions of Americans pay for health insurance. Without the enhanced credits, experts say families could see their monthly premiums go up by hundreds of dollars, with some guesses showing average increases of around 75%. The Trump administration has already taken steps that could put over 50 million people’s health insurance at risk.

The enhanced subsidies right now help about 22 million Americans who are signed up for ACA marketplace plans. The Congressional Budget Office thinks that around 3.8 million people would lose their health insurance completely if the credits expire. Republicans have said that extending the subsidies should be talked about separately in December rather than being tied to the September 30 government funding deadline. Many Trump voters are now learning about the link between Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act, understanding what could happen if the subsidies expire.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, who leads Democratic efforts to permanently extend the tax credits, has been working quietly with Republican colleagues to find a middle ground. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican who supports extending the subsidies, has also been talking with colleagues in both parties. However, Republican leaders including Senate Majority Leader John Thune have said the subsidies will not be part of any short-term spending bill.

The Trump administration has taken a tough stance, with the Office of Management and Budget telling federal agencies to get ready for mass firings if Democrats push for a shutdown. Trump canceled the earlier White House meeting after calling Democratic demands unserious and ridiculous. The Monday meeting will include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Schumer. A government shutdown will start Wednesday if Congress cannot reach a deal by the end of Tuesday.