Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed House Republicans for canceling votes next week, telling reporters, “Johnson and House Republicans care more about protecting the Epstein files than protecting the American people.”
Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of Schumer’s leadership team, added, “I think there is not a clearer illustration of their lack of seriousness in terms of reopening the government and solving the health care crisis.”
Schumer insisted that Democrats will remain united against the House-passed stop gap funding bill.
“Today we saw the Republicans run the same play and they got the same result. The question is, will they change course? The votes aren’t there,” he said.
“They thought they could bludgeon us and threaten us and scare us. It ain’t working because my caucus and Democrats are adamant that we must protect the health care of the American people.”
He argued that Democrats are in a “strong position,” and that the White House and Republicans will face more pressure over rising health care premiums.
Pressed on what he needs to see from Republicans, Schumer replied, “I’m not going to negotiate in public,” though he insisted that President Donald Trump has to be included.
“Thune is not enough, you need Johnson and you particularly need Trump to get it done,” he said.
The Democratic leader also encouraged his senators to continue speaking with their Republican colleagues, though he noted that they hadn’t received anything promising offers yet.
