JD Vance predicts US government shutdown after Trump’s failed meeting with Democrats
Photo: US Vice President JD Vance (Getty Images)
The US government is facing a shutdown after an unsuccessful meeting between US President Donald Trump and Democratic representatives, at which no agreement was reached on budget spending, according to US Vice President JD Vance.
"I think we're headed to a shutdown," Vance said, blaming Democrats who, according to him, do not want to take the right steps.
Democrats, in turn, blame Republicans for the possible suspension of government operations.
Why US facing shutdown
The subject of the conflict between the parties, which cannot agree on a budget, is healthcare.
About 24 million Americans who use the Affordable Care Act program may face increased costs if Congress does not extend temporary tax breaks that expire at the end of the year.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed that Congress must make these tax breaks permanent now, as insurance companies finalize higher rates and the new enrollment period begins on November 1.
"We believe that simply accepting the Republican plan to continue to assault and gut healthcare is unacceptable," Jeffries said at a press conference on Monday.
Republicans, meanwhile, say they are willing to discuss the issue, but not as part of temporary funding.
"They had some ideas that I actually thought were reasonable, and they had some ideas that the president thought was reasonable. What's not reasonable is to hold those ideas as leverage and to shut down the government," Vance said.
Why Democrats fighting for healthcare benefits
Democrats are seeking to mobilize their electorate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be decided, and generally support the course of preserving healthcare benefits.
At the same time, some Democratic advisers are privately expressing concern that the shutdown could provoke a negative public reaction if the party fails to explain its position effectively and appears to be simply opposing everything Trump proposes.
If the parties fail to reach an agreement, the government shutdown will begin at 12:01 a.m. on October 1.
Donald Trump held a meeting with the four top leaders of Congress. The topic of the talks was the approaching deadline and the risk of a government shutdown.
For more information about the possible shutdown of the US government and what it means, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
