"Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a crunch White House meeting with Donald Trump in an 11th-hour bid to avert a potentially damaging federal government shutdown. Monday's gathering is aimed at reaching an agreement over funding the government and largely hinges on Democrat demands for an extension of funding subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, beyond the end of the year, when they are due to expire."
"Trump and the Republicans have signaled that they are unfazed at that prospect, calculating that the public will blame Democrat intransigence. The White House office of management and budget (OMB) has also indicated that it will exploit a shutdown to carry out more mass firings as part of its crusade to slash government bureaucracy. An OMB memorandum said government agencies have been instructed use this opportunity to consider reduction in force (RIF) notices for all employees in programs, projects, or activities, The Hill reported."
Democrats and Republicans will meet at the White House with Donald Trump in an 11th-hour attempt to prevent a federal shutdown scheduled for 1 October. Talks focus primarily on extending Affordable Care Act insurance subsidy payments that expire at year-end, a Democratic demand. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate leader Chuck Schumer will meet Trump alongside Republican leaders Mike Johnson and John Thune. The encounter could be tense and confrontational, with low expectations. Trump and Republicans appear willing to risk a shutdown, anticipating political advantage, while the Office of Management and Budget plans to use a shutdown to pursue mass firings and program cuts.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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