President Trump on Saturday urged Senate Republicans to move quickly to dismantle Obamacare and redirect federal health-care spending “directly to the people,” as the government shutdown entered its 38th day.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called for ending Affordable Care Act subsidies and rerouting the money to individuals instead of insurance companies.
“I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the hundreds of billions of dollars currently being sent to money-sucking insurance companies … BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE so that they can purchase their own, much better healthcare, and have money left over,” Trump wrote.
He added:
“Take from the BIG, BAD insurance companies, give it to the people, and terminate the worst healthcare anywhere in the world, ObamaCare.”
The comments came as senators held a rare Saturday session after negotiations to reopen parts of the government collapsed late Friday. Democrats have insisted that any funding bill must also address Obamacare insurance subsidies, which are expected to spike at the start of the year. Republicans, however, say those discussions can only happen once the government is fully reopened.
Stalemate in the Senate
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer floated a proposal to temporarily reopen the government while extending existing ACA subsidies for one year. Republicans rejected the offer, maintaining they would not negotiate subsidy levels until after agencies are funded.
Democrats also dismissed a GOP proposal to fully fund three federal agencies while passing a short-term extension for the rest of the government.
Trump pushes to abolish the filibuster
Trump also renewed his long-standing call to “terminate the Filibuster,” the Senate rule requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation — including bills to reopen the federal government.
But many Senate Republicans remain opposed, warning that eliminating the rule would leave them vulnerable if Democrats regain control.
Shutdown effects intensify
As the shutdown drags on, its impact is becoming more severe:
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Airlines have begun canceling flights due to air-traffic controller shortages, with many controllers working unpaid.
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Families relying on SNAP benefits face uncertainty after the Supreme Court temporarily allowed the administration to delay payments in response to a legal challenge.
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Federal workers across the country continue to miss paychecks, adding pressure to both parties to break the stalemate.
With negotiations stalled and political tensions rising, Senate leaders now face the challenge of resolving government funding while navigating one of the sharpest partisan divides over health-care policy in years.
