President Trump on Monday called on Democrats to reopen the government, saying he will only discuss a potential deal on extending health care tax credits once they support the GOP funding proposal.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump appeared to shift from his earlier comments on Monday, when he signaled he was open to a deal with Democrats on health care, an issue at the core of the shutdown debate.
"Democrats have SHUT DOWN the United States Government right in the midst of one of the most successful Economies, including a Record Stock Market, that our Country has ever had. This has sadly affected so many programs, services, and other elements of Society that Americans rely on -- And it should not have happened," Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday evening.
"I am happy to work with the Democrats on their FailedHealthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open. In fact, they should open our Government tonight!" he continued.
Trump, earlier Monday, indicated he was open to a deal with Democrats on health care, telling reporters, "We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things."
"And I'm talking about good things with regard to health care," Trump said in the Oval Office. He declined to say whether he was meeting with Democratic leaders.
Asked if he is open to making a deal on Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democrats want to see extended ahead of potential premium increases, Trump said he would be.
"If we made the right deal, I'd make a deal. Sure," Trump said.
"You have subsidies; that's the problem with ObamaCare. The subsidies are so much; it's billions and billions of dollars being wasted. And we could have much better health care than we have right now," he continued. "And we're talking to them. I'm not saying that's going to happen."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) pushed back on Trump's claim that any talks with Democrats were taking place with White House officials.
"I do not know of any Democrats who have spoken to President Trump or members of his administration on this issue of reopening the government, enacting a bipartisan spending agreement, and addressing the Republican health care crisis," Jeffries told reporters in the Capitol, where House GOP leaders canceled votes all week.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued a statement saying that Senate Democrats are not involved in any such talks but would be willing to participate in them.
"Trump's claim isn't true -- but if he's finally ready to work with Democrats, we'll be at the table," Schumer said.
The government shut down on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to reach a funding deal, with Democrats demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Without action, enhanced tax credits passed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people afford coverage will expire at the end of the year. If they expire, premiums for Affordable Care Act enrollees will increase more than 75 percent on average, according to health policy research group KFF.
While Democrats insist an extension be part of any short-term government funding legislation, GOP leaders have argued those discussions can wait until later in the year and should be separate from funding the government.