Democrats Dig In on Health Care Demands as Shutdown Nears

Democratic leaders vow to oppose a short-term funding bill that leaves out health care priorities, while Republicans seek a ‘clean’ stopgap spending bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) speak after a meeting to negotiate funding legislation to avoid a government shutdown at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

House Democrats sharpened their focus on health care on Sept. 30, as a now-likely government shutdown approached, saying they will not support a short-term funding bill that leaves in place cuts they blame on Republicans and that omits an extension of Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) premium tax credits.

Talks at the White House between congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle and President Donald Trump ended on Sept. 29 without a deal. Vice President JD Vance told reporters the country is “headed into a shutdown,” while Democratic leaders said health care remains the main divide. Trump said on Tuesday that a shutdown looked inevitable.