The House is scheduled to meet this weekend to plot its next move after the Senate on Friday fought back efforts from conservatives to defund the Affordable Care Act, and it’s looking more likely that the government will shut down Tuesday morning. Washington bureau reporter Michael Scotto filed the following report for NY1.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shortly after the Senate passed a spending plan Friday that keeps the Affordable Care Act intact, President Barack Obama issued a warning to House Republicans.
“Do not shut down the government. Do not shut down the economy,” Obama said.
The Senate plan is now on its way back to the House, where lawmakers will meet this weekend to discuss their next move.
It’s expected that Republicans will seek to make changes to the bill. One proposal would continue to fund the government but eliminate Obamacare exemptions for members of Congress and delay for one year the mandate requiring that individuals carry insurance.
“What I’m talking about is, let’s delay it, let’s call a timeout,” said Rep. Tom Reed of Corning, N.Y. “Overwhelming support from people across all spectrums.”
Democrats, however, are likely to reject such a move, setting the stage for a government shutdown next week.
“There is no consensus building going on,” said Rep. Joe Crowley, whose district covers parts of Queens and the Bronx. “It’s either they get their way or they shut down government, and that’s not how it’s supposed to work.”
Adding to the drama over a possible shutdown is the potential for a government default in mid-October. At this point, there is no agreement on how to raise the debt ceiling.
The outcome to the government funding showdown could play a role in how lawmakers tackle the debt limit. The president has said he won’t negotiate over it, but Republicans have said he will have to. A default could send the economy into a tailspin.
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