Republicans Likely to Fold First in Shutdown Battle, Says Ex-GOP Strategist
The federal government has been without funding for six days, and former Mike Pence director of staff Marc Short predicts that Republicans will cave first. Short told national television that Democrats had cleverly attached popular health care provisions to the continuing resolution, making it harder for Republicans to reject them.
Medicaid financial protection and Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire this year are among those health care policies. Democrats know those measures appeal to a wide audience and are using them as leverage. Short termed such tactic “shrewd,” saying it corners Republicans. The Senate was ready to discuss two short-term financing measures that had failed to get 60 votes to avoid filibusters when Congress returned to work. Republicans propose funding the government until November 21, gaining time. Democrats would extend tax benefits and restore Medicaid cuts from earlier this year.
Short told the host that Republicans will “cave” on health care under duress as they have always opposed changes and price rises. Proposing subsidies provides Democrats moral and political high ground, he argued. Democratic marketing strategies and “mean tweets” at GOP leaders detract from the real concerns, he said. He also questioned the lack of national Democratic calls for a Virginia Democratic candidate accused of making violent threats to resign.
The shutdown has slowed federal operations, even if the House has no funding votes forthcoming. Due to funding shortages, 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed, and the Education Department has shut down. Police and other vital services continue. As service delays make the shutdown’s effects more evident to Americans, economic and societal pressure is rising.
Republican insiders see the party’s resolve crumbling as political and public pressure rises. He believes Republicans will cave when health care is the breaking point.
Sources
AP News
The Daily Beast
Business Insider
