Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate quickly shut down President Donald Trump’s claim that he had entered into negotiations with the minority party on a health care deal to end the government shutdown, which dragged into its sixth day Monday.
“I’d like to see a deal on health care,” Trump said during a press availability in the Oval Office. “We are speaking with the Democrats, and some very good things could happen with respect to health care.”
He added that he was “open to a deal” on the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire later this year. Congressional Democrats are demanding that their counterparts across the aisle agree to extend the subsidies before they vote to approve a continuing resolution that would fund the government through November.
“If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal,” Trump told reporters. “Sure.”
Trump did not specify who, exactly, he was speaking to about health care, but Democratic leaders quickly denied that any such talks had taken place.
“Trump’s claim isn’t true — but if he’s finally ready to work with Democrats, we’ll be at the table,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “If President Trump and Republicans are finally ready to sit down and get something done in health care for American families, Democrats will be there — ready to make it happen.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also said that he is not talking to Trump.
“Well, the White House has gone radio silent since the Oval Office meeting last Monday, and neither Leader Schumer or myself have heard a word from the administration about resolving this issue,” Jeffries told reporters.
“It’s an interesting statement that the president has made,” Jeffries said. “And I think both House and Senate Democrats are clear we’ll sit down anytime, anyplace with anyone from your administration, including the president, to get a resolution here.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NOTUS, though the president added in a follow-up post on Truth Social that he would not agree to anything before the government was reopened.
“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open,” he wrote. “In fact, they should open our Government tonight!”
Both parties have shown no sign that they are any closer to an agreement to keep the government open nearly a week out from the start of the shutdown. Lawmakers have yet to publicly float even the outlines of a bipartisan agreement.
Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that any talks between Trump and Democrats had taken place. “There’s nothing to negotiate,” she told reporters during a press briefing at the White House.