Washington [US], September 28: September 30 is the deadline for the US Congress to approve a new spending package to prevent a government shutdown. However, so far the Democratic and Republican parties have not found common ground, with each party criticizing the other for making things difficult.
Politico on September 26 quoted a senior White House official warning that Democrats "will pay a heavy price."
Some US government officials believe that when the government shutdown begins, the Democratic Party will immediately be under pressure and will have to give in to demands. Regarding this issue, The Hill on September 26 quoted sources in the Democratic Party revealing that cracks are beginning to appear within the party in the US Senate.
Accordingly, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer maintained a tough stance that he would not accept a spending plan that did not satisfy the requirements. Meanwhile, some of Mr. Schumer's allies in the Senate expressed the possibility of compromise to find a solution that satisfied both parties.
Democrats are particularly keen to extend the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) health benefits program, which expires this year. California health officials have warned that if Obamacare expires, the cost of insurance in the state could double, leaving hundreds of thousands of people unaffordable. Democrats have made it clear to the public that Republicans would be largely responsible for any government shutdown, since they control the executive branch.
In another development, Reuters reported on September 27 that the US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to freeze about $4 billion in foreign aid that had been allocated for the current fiscal year.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
