Possible shutdown, health care quagmire awaiting Congress

“We are more than happy to talk to the Democrats about some of their priorities but we encourage them to recognize that they are a minority party”.

Despite the chatter, what will unfold over the next week remains uncertain. The White House is taking another stab at repealing and replacing Obamacare, which is something the White House hopes can actually pass the House before Trump hits that 100 day milestone next week.

Two leaders of the House GOP’s warring moderate and conservative factions devised a compromise during Congress’ recess to let states get federal waivers to ignore some requirements of the health law. American taxpayers who don’t support the project will be appalled by the idea, as will those who do support it but figured the bill would not wind up on their tables.

Some look to a Kaiser Health tracking poll earlier this month that showed 61 percent of voters saying that “President Trump and Republicans in Congress are now in control of the government and they are responsible for any problems with [Obamacare] moving forward”.

What’s the “X factor” in the talks? Presidents since then have often struggled to meet the expectations of the hundred-day report card but generally can point to a list of major legislative accomplishments. In an age of ever-increasing polarization, the party bases on both sides may prefer the government to shut down rather than to see their representatives make a concession. It’s just not clear that what he wants is something that can pass a majority of Congress.

Kelly said he spoke with local and state lawmakers willing to share their views on the best way to build the wall.

What are the potential snags?

In recent weeks, the prospect of a government shutdown seemed low. There is a legal challenge to those subsidies making its way through the courts and the GOP planned to keep paying out these subsidies while they worked to overhaul the health care system.

Indeed, the White House faces a steep learning curve on government spending, as with its other congressional misadventures thus far.

Eventually, Democrats pulled the gun bill and focused on immigration.

In the House, a group of conservatives, led by the Freedom Caucus, is expected to oppose the spending bill now being negotiated in private, bipartisan talks. They’re also fighting his proposed $18 billion in cuts to domestic programs to offset huge increases in defense spending. Both have caps on spending because of a previous budget agreement. Adding to the uncertainty, the deadline to avoid the shutdown falls on Trump’s 100th day in office, and he could be desperate for a big win by the deadline. Bottom line: “progress, but no final deal to get it out of the House yet”.

What about the House Freedom Caucus?

While agencies will cheer not having to deal with what’s called a continuing resolution – a straight extension of last year’s funding levels that allows no room for shifting spending priorities – an omnibus is certainly nothing to be proud of.Spending bills are ideally considered one at a time so that lawmakers can debate funding levels, program effectiveness and changes in national priorities. But if he really believed that, he’d probably still be using the subsidies as a bargaining chip to get his own health care bill passed, instead of repurposing them to enact one of his other gold-plated pipe dreams.