The stalemate over the reauthorization of healthcare subsidies faces an uncertain future.
Federal agencies entered a partial shutdown on Wednesday after Congress failed to come to an agreement on stopgap funding.
The major sticking point was healthcare appropriations for Medicare and other programs, since they were set to expire and would cease to operate without reauthorization from Congress. The leaders of the House and Senate minority also insisted that Medicaid funding for illegal immigrants that was cut in previous legislation be reassigned.
The House approved a continuing resolution and the Senate had proposed a second bill, but the minority party voted down both because neither enacted the $1.5 billion in healthcare and other reauthorizations they desired.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it was a “binary choice” to either accept the funding bill as presented or face a government shutdown.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there is nothing here to negotiate,” Senator Thune said. “This is a routine funding resolution to keep the government open so that we can continue our appropriations work and fund the government the old-fashioned way.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Majority Leader Thune to be prudent as he discusses options for funding the government.
- For members of Congress to seek God’s wisdom regarding appropriations and proposed continuing resolutions.
Sources: Roll Call, MSN
