Thune reveals to MSNBC he’s offered Democrats a vote on Obamacare subsidies

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has made a surprising concession to Democrats in an MSNBC sit-down interview. He's offered a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies - a long-standing sticking point for the party - in exchange for some concessions.

In a bid to break the gridlock, Thune told Democratic leaders that he'd guarantee them a vote by a specific date if they're willing to accept reforms alongside the subsidy extension. This is a significant departure from his previous stance, where Republicans have been hesitant to extend the subsidies due to concerns about their long-term cost.

Thune acknowledged that there's no way to guarantee an outcome or even pass a bill extending the subsidies, but he emphasized that there will be a process and Democrats can expect a vote. This concession may not be enough to satisfy Democrats, however, who remain skeptical of Republicans' intentions.

The Senator's comments come as the government shutdown enters its third week, with workers missing their first paycheck. Despite this, Democrats appear resolute in refusing to back down on their demands, particularly when it comes to protecting the subsidies that millions rely on for affordable healthcare.

Thune took a softer tone than some of his Republican colleagues on rising healthcare premiums, expressing concerns about people's ability to pay as prices continue to rise. However, he remained firm on requiring changes to the current subsidies, such as income caps, before considering an extension.

With estimates suggesting the program could cost $350 billion over the next decade, any deal will likely be contentious. Thune's remarks suggest that Democrats may have some room for negotiation, but it remains to be seen whether they'll accept the terms.

just got word from a trusted source that Thune's concession is actually a calculated move by Republicans to keep the conversation going . They know Dems won't budge on the subsidies entirely, so this might just buy them some time to find another angle. Still don't think it'll be enough to get them to compromise on income caps though . The real question is: what's in it for Thune's team? Is he trying to salvage his own re-election chances or genuinely wants a bipartisan deal?

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to break the deadlock, and I gotta respect that . He's willing to budge on the subsidy extension thing, which might just be what Democrats need to get on board . But, let's be real, $350 billion over a decade is a pretty big price tag . I'm not sure if even Thune's soft tone can sweeten the deal for Democrats . Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this one plays out .

idk why republicans are being so stubborn about this, like millions of people are gonna get hurt if they don't extend these subsidies . thune's got some good points though, income caps could be a reasonable compromise. but come on, $350 billion over 10 years? that's wild . i think democrats should be open to negotiations, but republicans need to show some flexibility too . still hoping for a deal that doesn't screw over the average joe

I'm kinda feeling like this is a big turning point in the whole subsidy debate . I mean, Thune is willing to compromise and offer a vote on the subsidies, which is a pretty significant concession from the GOP side. And while Democrats are still skeptical, it's clear they're not completely opposed to the idea.

I think what's most interesting here is that Thune is trying to find common ground by acknowledging the human impact of rising healthcare costs . It shows that some Republicans are starting to understand that this isn't just a partisan issue, but people's lives are at stake.

Of course, it's still early days and there's a lot to be worked out, but I'm keeping an eye on this development . If Democrats can find ways to make concessions without sacrificing their core values, maybe we can finally break the impasse and get some progress on affordable healthcare .

So I'm reading this about John Thune making a big concession to Dems... I think he's trying to break the deadlock here . But let me ask you, do you think this is enough for Democrats? Are they gonna take him up on the offer or hold out for more? I mean, we've seen them dig in their heels before, so it's hard to say .

What do you guys think about Thune's tone on healthcare? Is he trying to appear more reasonable than his colleagues? Or is this just a calculated move to get Dems on board?

And what's the real deal here? Do we think there'll actually be some kind of compromise or is this all just hot air? I'm curious to know your thoughts!

Ugh I'm so stressed out about this gov shutdown thingy my coworker's wife is actually losing her job because of it and I feel terrible for her she has to pay like 2k a month for health insurance and now that's all at risk what if they don't get it passed? I mean I know the Reps say they want to help people but their logic makes no sense to me my cousin actually got his bill reduced in 2020 because of Obamacare and he was so grateful anyway, Thune trying to be all nice to the Democrats now that's interesting does this mean he's finally coming around or is it just a PR stunt? I don't know what to think anymore

I'm totally stoked about this development , I mean, who wouldn't want an end to the government shutdown? But at the same time, I'm super skeptical about Thune's offer - like, what's really going on here? Is he just trying to placate Democrats before they realize it's all a ruse?

I think it's awesome that Thune is finally acknowledging the concerns about rising healthcare premiums , but come on, income caps are not the answer . I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for making sure people can afford healthcare, but how are those income caps going to help? It just seems like a weak attempt at compromise.

And let's be real, Democrats still aren't convinced, and they should be . Thune might think he's got some wiggle room, but I bet the Republicans behind him are just waiting for an excuse to pull out all the stops again . This whole thing is gonna be a real nail-biter .

omg u guys!! i'm literally shaking rn john thune is like a total game changer!! he's literally throwing republicans under the bus by offering to vote on obamacare subsidies like what even is this?? thune's concession is a major departure from his previous stance and i'm SO here for it!!! now let's see if democrats will take him up on the offer

I don't know why ppl think Thune is trying to sabotage Obamacare . He's actually trying to find a compromise to end this gov shutdown already! If he's willing to budge on subsidies, that means Republicans are finally serious about finding a solution . And let's be real, $350 billion is a ton of money - Thune's just trying to make sure they don't have to keep throwing money at this like there's no tomorrow . I hope Democrats take him up on his offer and we can actually get some stuff done around here .

omg I'm like totally confused about this whole healthcare thing I mean I know it's a big deal and all but can someone explain to me why republicans are being so stubborn about extending these subsidies? like isn't affordable healthcare kinda important for ppl with low income fam?

and btw what's up with the government shutdown? didn't we already do this last year or was it a different year? I'm just lost. is it still going on because of ppl not agreeing on subsidies or what? help me out!