Copyright New York Daily News
Democratic senators huddled Thursday amid talk of a possible looming compromise with President Trump and his Republican allies to end the government shutdown that is already in a record-setting second month. Moderate lawmakers were pushing leaders to forge a deal to reopen the government as the pain from the shutdown keeps getting worse with officials cutting flights over a shortage of air traffic controllers and tens of millions of low-income people struggling to feed their families without SNAP benefits. Other Democrats warned against caving to Trump without winning concessions on his draconian health care cuts, especially after voters effectively backed their stance by delivering big wins in the off-year elections on Tuesday. “Donald Trump clearly is feeling pressure to bring this shutdown to an end. Well, I have good news for the president: Meet with Democrats, reopen the government,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the Democratic minority leader, said on the Senate floor. Schumer added that ordinary Americans “fired a political torpedo at Trump and Republicans” by voting for Democrats in New Jersey, Virginia, New York City and elsewhere. Remarkably, Trump seems to agree with Schumer, calling the shutdown a “big factor, negative” for Republican losses in the off-year votes. But the president has so far refused to give his blessing to talks or concessions that could break the impasse, instead suggesting the GOP should scrap the filibuster so they could reopen the government without any Democratic support. “It’s in their court. It’s up to them,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said, insisting he wouldn’t give any ground. A potential compromise would likely build on Thune’s previous promise to permit a vote in the Senate to extend tax credits that keep more than 20 million Americans’ Obamacare premiums lower in exchange for Democratic support for a stopgap spending bill to reopen the government. Democrats are demanding an agreement with Trump and GOP leaders to actually extend the credits, not just a vote that they presume would fall short. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he would not guarantee Democrats a vote on the credits, seemingly throwing cold water on the compromise effort. “I’m not promising anybody anything,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to be a part of that.” Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-New York), a moderate Long Island lawmaker, said it’s time to cut a deal now that voters have received the message that Democrats are standing up to Trump on health care costs. “The Democrats have made it clear that we’re fighting for affordability, (so) now is the time to make a deal,” Suozzi said. The bipartisan back-and-forth unfolded as the shutdown’s impact continue to worsen. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% starting Friday across 40 “high-volume” markets, including New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports to maintain travel safety. The FAA is imposing the flight reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the government shutdown and have been increasingly calling off work. Transportation Safety Administration screeners are also working without paychecks, as are thousands of other federal workers. In past shutdowns, strain on the crucial air travel system eventually forced both parties to the negotiating table.
