President Trump has spent the past few hours relentlessly attacking Obama’s health care plan in the face of the threat of a possible GDP contraction.
MADRID, November 9 (European Press Agency) – The US Senate will hold an extraordinary session this Sunday, aiming to end the 39-day suspension of government activities that threatens to reduce GDP in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the words of Kevin Hassent, head of the White House National Economic Council.
In an interview with CBS, Hassett recalled that US investment bank Goldman Sachs had previously estimated that the partial government shutdown would cost the US about 1.5% of its GDP. But the CEN chief warned that “this number will probably fall” if the shutdown continues “for a few more weeks”.
Flight suspensions due to a lack of air traffic controllers and significant problems distributing food aid to needy citizens are among the difficulties the U.S. government is experiencing in continuing operations following a lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on various spending items, including health care.
President Trump this Sunday has criticized former Democratic President Barack Obama’s health care plan and the subsidies the government has paid to insurance companies since the pandemic. On Friday, Democrats proposed reopening the government in exchange for a one-year extension of the health care tax credit, a proposal quickly rejected by Republicans.
“Obamacare fraud directly benefits our allies in the insurance industry. They are getting rich at the expense of the American people, while health care coverage is deteriorating. If Democrats have their way again, they will once again make huge profits at the expense of the American people,” President Trump denied on his Truth Social platform.
As he did on Saturday, Tormo called for the Senate’s Republican majority to propose direct aid payments to Americans. “Republicans should direct these funds to individual health savings accounts,” he said.
Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune announced this Sunday that the chamber would be adjourned until the government resumes what is expected to be a marathon session.
Senators are working on final versions of three long-term spending bills that are part of the Republican plan to break the impasse. Mr. Thune started by championing an interim funding resolution approved by the House at the time, amending it to include a spending package known as the “minibus,” and pushing for a strategy that includes a long-term funding extension as the ultimate goal.
A vote to start the process could take place on Sunday. However, the gap between the two appears to remain wide.