Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden on government shutdown, now a week old
Description
The federal government shutdown is now a week old and shows little sign of ending. On Monday, Senators rejected for the fifth time competing proposals from Republicans and Democrats to pass a funding bill to reopen the government. Among other concessions, Democrats are demanding Republicans agree to extend tax credits set to expire for 24 million Americans who get their health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Republican Congressional leaders insist any negotiations on healthcare take place after Democrats agree to reopen the government.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has threatened to lay off members of the federal workforce and to withhold back pay of furloughed federal workers. Active-duty members of the military could miss their first paycheck next Wednesday if Congressional lawmakers fail to reach a deal before then. Shortages of air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay during a government shutdown, have led to delays of flights at busy airports. Oregon Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden joins us from Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest developments in the government shutdown.
United States
