US-News

Government Shutdown Averted by Trump’s Retreat on Border Wall Issue

Government Shutdown Averted by Trump’s Retreat on Border Wall Issue
Bernadine Racoma

President Donald Trump has been pushing for the construction of parts of the U.S.-Mexico border wall for the longest time. Trump and his officials have been talking about including the funds for the border wall in a budget proposal to Congress on Friday. If this happens, it could mean another federal government shutdown, as it means a confrontation with his own party members and the Democrats.

This Tuesday, three days before the deadline, members of Congress were talking about a spending proposal without the controversial funding for the border wall. Instead they were negotiating to increase the funds for other priorities, such as border security and the military.

Change of tune

The world knows Pres. Trump wants that border wall built. It was part of his campaign platform and he continues to be very vocal about it. Last week he was noncommittal about the bill for its funding when interviewed. But as usual, he was pushing for it over the weekend through Twitter.

It was another crisis avoided when Trump pulled off his demand to get funding for the border wall. Still Americans cannot be complacent that they’ve seen the last of it. Right now, there are still many financial issues to be discussed. Among these is the issue of payment to health insurers. Through the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA), health care plan buyers who are low-income individuals are allowed to buy insurance at lower prices and lower deductibles.

Leverage

The Republicans are going to use the subsidy payments to health insurers as their bargaining tool when they face the Democrats over the government spending allowance. They will need the Democrats’ votes in order for the funding bill to pass in the Senate. It can be recalled that the Trump administration said that it would continue to pay the subsidies to insurance companies under the ACA. House Republicans have stated before that these are illegal payments because Congress never authorized the subsidy.

The fate of the subsidy payments still hangs in the air because of the lawsuit that the GOP filed in 2014. Over six million Americans and a number of insurance companies will be affected if the subsidy payments are withdrawn.

Democrats’ response

For a time, the Trump administration threatened to stop the subsidy payments, which now continues. However, the Democrats have taken a harder stance. They want the payments to be guaranteed before they agree to any deal. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Maryland), stated that this is something that the Republicans must do for Americans. It should not be used as bait to sweeten any deal with the Democrats.

Another point to be taken up during the negotiations is the issue over the health benefits of retired miners. Last year this issue almost caused a government shutdown. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin III and several Democrats request the extension of the miners’ benefits. Also included in the discussion is the bailout of the Medicaid program of Puerto Rico.

Republicans were happy that Pres. Trump relented on the border wall funding. They said that they were making good progress in their negotiations with the Democrats over the past few weeks. The last minute request of Trump almost sabotaged their progress.

Pres. Trump still insists that the border wall will be built. Maybe not today but he said that they are already making plans for it.

Copyright: shakzu / 123RF Stock Photo

Comment Below
US-News

More in US-News

Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Deals

Guide to Cyber Monday Deals for Holiday Shopping Success

Day NewsNovember 27, 2017
gunman

26 Dead in America’s Latest Mass Shooting

Brian OasterNovember 7, 2017
Investigators inspect a truck following a shooting incident in New York on October 31, 2017. 
Several people were killed and numerous others injured in New York on Tuesday after a vehicle plowed into a pedestrian and bike path in Lower Manhattan, police said. "The vehicle struck multiple people on the path," police tweeted. "The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD." / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT        (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

New York City Mayor Calls Truck Attack Act of Terror

Bernadine RacomaNovember 6, 2017
tax-woes

Middle-Class Americans to Face Tax Woes in the Near Future

Bernadine RacomaNovember 6, 2017
cvs-home-banner-heart_large

Possible CVS-Aetna Partnership. What this Means to You

Bernadine RacomaOctober 29, 2017
jfk

JFK Documents Released to Public–But Only Partially

Brian OasterOctober 27, 2017
living-former-presidents-to-attend-hurricane-relief-concert

Hurricane Relief Concert with Five Ex-U.S. Presidents

Bernadine RacomaOctober 22, 2017
Travel Ban

Trump’s Travel Ban Blocked by US Federal Judge for the Third Time

Camilo AtkinsonOctober 18, 2017
Cuba

Department of State Expels 15 Cuban Diplomats from Washington DC

Camilo AtkinsonOctober 4, 2017