The Shutdown Has Ended

“Today we’re sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion,” Trump said, referring to Democrats’ demand that GOP leaders agree to negotiate policy to avoid the expiration of health care subsidies for millions of Americans. He also reiterated his desire to end the filibuster, despite lawmakers in both parties who believe the rule still benefits them.

A number of House Democrats expressed frustration at being cut out of the deal-making by Senate Republicans. This is not the atmosphere of compromise the moment calls for, and it raises real concerns about what the next round of funding talks will look like. The next sticking point will be insurance subsidies: Democrats blame Republicans for rising premiums and mock them for taking time off during the shutdown. Majority Leader Mike Johnson is trying to balance the most extreme voices in his conference and create space for bipartisan work, yet Democrats’ eagerness to lay all the blame at Republicans’ feet and resort to name-calling before negotiations begin does not help create a collaborative environment.

Democrats appear ready to take a hard stand over tax credits for health care. Early signals suggest several are willing to withhold their votes entirely, calling an end to the credits nothing short of cruel.

“The business of the American people must continue, but the red line will be if Republicans continue to adopt the my-way-or-the-highway approach,” one Democrat said. “At that point, we’ll continue to say, ‘Get lost.’”

From the outside looking in, it’s ironic that the minority is the one demanding its way on health care, willing even to let the government shut down to secure it. Still, that’s difficult to fault too harshly. Health care is a genuine priority, and consumers should not be forced to shoulder ever-rising costs for something so essential. It leaves me wondering: if we all agree this is a need, not just a desire, then what other areas of the budget could be reshaped to create more room for inclusion?

Next week, House committee chairs will begin listening sessions with groups of Republican members on health care policy and the fate of expiring Obamacare subsidies. Members need to be heard, said one person familiar with internal dynamics, and GOP leadership plans to model the talks loosely on the brainstorming sessions that preceded the drafting of the party’s sweeping domestic policy bill earlier this year.