Moderate Democrats Seek Bipartisan Solution as GOP Refuses to Budge
As the US government shutdown enters its second week, centrist Democrats are growing increasingly desperate for a negotiating partner on the Republican side. Despite sending out letters to two moderate Republican groups, Reps. David Valadao and Mike Flood, their efforts have been met with rejection.
The New Democrat Coalition's chairman, Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., has attempted to reach out to Valadao and Flood, urging them to put aside partisan differences and work towards a bipartisan solution. Schneider's letters, obtained by MSNBC, emphasized the need for cooperation on healthcare reform and avoiding increases in premiums for millions of Americans facing expiring tax credits.
However, both Valadao and Flood have refused to engage in serious negotiations, instead restating the standard GOP position that they are open to discussing healthcare once the government is reopened. This stance has been supported by Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team since the shutdown began.
Valadao's letter to Schneider noted that while he agrees on the need for meaningful policy solutions to address rising healthcare costs, holding the government hostage and withholding pay from federal employees is not an acceptable way to achieve this goal. Flood echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Main Street Caucus will always vote to fund the government, but will not engage in leverage tactics to achieve a political outcome.
The rejection by moderate Republicans has underscored two emerging themes in the shutdown standoff: on the left, Democrats are seeking a negotiating partner as the effects of the shutdown grow more acute; and on the right, Republicans – even those who have expressed openness to compromise – are refusing to budge until the government is reopened.
As the clock ticks towards November 1st, when millions of Americans facing expiring tax credits will face significant increases in healthcare premiums, Schneider remains hopeful that moderate Republicans will change their minds. "New Dems are ready when they change their minds and decide to come back to DC to do their jobs," he said.
However, with no signs of Republican willingness to compromise, Democrats may be left with little choice but to continue pursuing a shutdown solution on their own terms – or risk the consequences of millions of Americans facing unaffordable healthcare premiums.
As the US government shutdown enters its second week, centrist Democrats are growing increasingly desperate for a negotiating partner on the Republican side. Despite sending out letters to two moderate Republican groups, Reps. David Valadao and Mike Flood, their efforts have been met with rejection.
The New Democrat Coalition's chairman, Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., has attempted to reach out to Valadao and Flood, urging them to put aside partisan differences and work towards a bipartisan solution. Schneider's letters, obtained by MSNBC, emphasized the need for cooperation on healthcare reform and avoiding increases in premiums for millions of Americans facing expiring tax credits.
However, both Valadao and Flood have refused to engage in serious negotiations, instead restating the standard GOP position that they are open to discussing healthcare once the government is reopened. This stance has been supported by Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team since the shutdown began.
Valadao's letter to Schneider noted that while he agrees on the need for meaningful policy solutions to address rising healthcare costs, holding the government hostage and withholding pay from federal employees is not an acceptable way to achieve this goal. Flood echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Main Street Caucus will always vote to fund the government, but will not engage in leverage tactics to achieve a political outcome.
The rejection by moderate Republicans has underscored two emerging themes in the shutdown standoff: on the left, Democrats are seeking a negotiating partner as the effects of the shutdown grow more acute; and on the right, Republicans – even those who have expressed openness to compromise – are refusing to budge until the government is reopened.
As the clock ticks towards November 1st, when millions of Americans facing expiring tax credits will face significant increases in healthcare premiums, Schneider remains hopeful that moderate Republicans will change their minds. "New Dems are ready when they change their minds and decide to come back to DC to do their jobs," he said.
However, with no signs of Republican willingness to compromise, Democrats may be left with little choice but to continue pursuing a shutdown solution on their own terms – or risk the consequences of millions of Americans facing unaffordable healthcare premiums.
. Can't these politicians just have one conversation without someone trying to strong-arm them into something? I mean, come on, Reps Valadao and Flood, you're not even willing to negotiate, but at least acknowledge the possibility of compromise 
. It's like they're stuck in some kind of partisan loop-de-loop 
. And Schneider just gets frustrated 
️. Now it's up to the Democrats to figure out how to handle this on their own, which is only going to lead to more drama 
. Can't we all just get along (or at least try)? 
with the us government shutdown going on for weeks now... i feel bad for the federal employees who are still waiting for their paychecks 
it's not cool that republicans are using the workers as leverage to get what they want.
maybe they should just focus on finding a bipartisan solution instead of appealing to both sides? after all, bipartisanship is about working together for the greater good 
and OMG it's TO DIE FOR!!! I mean, have you tried their special sauce? 
?
and honestly, november 1st can't come soon enough so ppl aren't facing those huge healthcare premium hikes 
[Image of Dopey from Snow White with a shutdown sign in the background] 
. It's like they're using the entire country as leverage to get what they want 
... Democrats need to be willing to listen to what the Republicans have to say and find common ground, but at the same time, they can't just give in to everything 
.
... that moderate Republicans will change their minds and work towards a solution before November 1st 
. But if they don't, things could get really messy 
... and I'm not sure how many Americans can afford to take the hit 
.
... but one thing's for sure, it's not looking good 
With 2 weeks in and no signs of GOP budge, centrist Democrats are getting desperate 
.
If healthcare premiums skyrocket, it'll affect 4 million people 
. But will moderate Republicans come to their senses?