(AURN News) — It’s day seven of the government shutdown. While Congress continues to argue over politics, Americans are the ones paying the price.
The Senate is back in session today, but both sides remain stuck. Democrats want to extend health care subsidies to prevent Affordable Care Act premiums from rising by as much as 200%. Republicans say the government must reopen first — then they’ll talk.
House Democrats are trying to shake things up. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., publicly challenged Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to a live, prime-time debate on the House floor.
Johnson called the debate proposal a “publicity stunt,” telling Fox News it was meant to distract from Democrats’ role in the shutdown. But polls show most Americans blame President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress for the shutdown.
For the 750,000 federal workers going without pay — from national parks to passport offices — the country is running on fumes, and Americans continue to lose out.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
