The federal government is simply days away from shutting down if Congress cannot attain a deal. President Trump upped the stakes, threatening large-scale layoffs if Democrats do not present the mandatory votes.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
We’re 4 days away from a authorities shutdown.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
And a memo from the White Home guarantees to punish federal staff if that occurs. The Trump administration is threatening large-scale layoffs if Democrats do not present the mandatory votes to keep away from a shutdown. We do not know precisely which jobs can be focused or what number of federal staff may lose their jobs, however the deadline to provide you with an answer is quick approaching.
INSKEEP: And NPR congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt might be protecting no matter occurs. Barbara, good morning.
BARBARA SPRUNT, BYLINE: Hey. Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: OK. So that is type of a departure from the traditional shutdown state of affairs the place the federal government says, we will enhance the ache. What prompted this?
SPRUNT: Nicely, there is a line within the memo that I believe is telling right here, primarily saying, we’re hopeful that Democrats in Congress do not set off a shutdown, after which this would possibly not be crucial. So I believe that is partly aimed toward making any funding lapse as troublesome as potential for Democrats.
INSKEEP: Received it.
SPRUNT: Usually in a shutdown, you realize, businesses furlough federal staff quickly till a deal is brokered and a stopgap funding invoice is handed. That is next-level. It is instructing businesses to search for staff to fireside completely, individuals whose work is just not in step with the president’s priorities.
INSKEEP: How are Democrats responding?
SPRUNT: Nicely, they view it as an intimidation tactic to get them to just accept the persevering with decision that Home Republicans handed that might fund the federal government by November 21. I spoke with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, about this yesterday. This is what he needed to say.
CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: That is nothing lower than Mafia-style blackmail. Basically, the president is threatening to fireside devoted federal workers who don’t have anything to do with the continuing political and coverage dispute.
SPRUNT: In the meantime, Senate minority chief Chuck Schumer says that if these firings do go ahead, he suspects they will ultimately be overturned in courtroom.
INSKEEP: Though we have realized when the president fires somebody, even when a courtroom finds illegality, it is troublesome to reverse the firing, so we’ll see. Is anyone speaking about getting a deal out of this?
SPRUNT: Nicely, high congressional Democrats had been supposed to fulfill with President Trump yesterday on the White Home, however the president canceled that assembly, saying it will be pointless to fulfill as a result of Democrats, in his view, are making unreasonable calls for.
INSKEEP: That are what?
SPRUNT: Nicely, Democrats need to roll again some Medicaid modifications that had been a part of the massive tax and spending invoice that the president signed earlier this summer time, and so they need to lengthen tax credit from the Inexpensive Care Act which might be set to run out on the finish of the yr. Home Democratic chief Hakeem Jeffries has mentioned a verbal settlement that is available in any form of negotiation is not sufficient. Democrats need to deal with these points in written laws. Right here he’s yesterday.
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HAKEEM JEFFRIES: We’re capable of sit down any time, anywhere with anybody, not onerous to seek out. I am right here within the Capitol, prepared to go to the White Home at any time with the intention to have that dialog.
SPRUNT: However, you realize, Steve, sure, that is concerning the shutdown. It is a very actual risk, and it will have very actual penalties for individuals who depend on sure providers and staff who would possibly discover themselves with no job completely. However that is additionally about an ongoing battle between the White Home and Democrats in Congress who really feel the administration has continued to overreach in its authority and diminish the legislative department’s energy of the purse. So sure, this memo is unprecedented, however it additionally very a lot follows the administration’s philosophy that we have seen play out many times this yr.
INSKEEP: Nicely, Barbara, I hope you are prepared for a busy few days right here.
SPRUNT: Trying ahead to it. Thanks, Steve.
INSKEEP: NPR congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt.
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