Shutdown Stalemate: Republicans and Democrats Dig In on Immigration and Health Care
The ongoing government shutdown has seen both Republicans and Democrats dig in their heels, with each party accusing the other of prioritising different issues. House Speaker Mike Johnson has claimed that Democrats are more concerned with providing taxpayer-funded benefits to 'illegal aliens' than keeping the government open.
Republicans have settled on a message focusing on 'illegal aliens' and health care, portraying emergency room care or benefits for migrants with legal status as giveaways to the undocumented. They argue that Democrats want to provide health care to people who aren't legally in the country. However, Democrats contend that this message only works until the next election and doesn't address Americans' health care benefits.
Some Democratic allies have warned that the party is underestimating how weak it is on immigration and how ready voters are to buy into President Donald Trump's argument on the issue. Democrats, meanwhile, are cautious about their stance on immigration, especially in the context of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. They want voters to know they don't want Medicare, Medicaid, or ACA plans covering non-citizens with no legal status. Many Democrats have supported access to federal health care funds for undocumented immigrants in the past, but it's not among their demands in the current shutdown fight.
With both parties running out of new things to talk about and stuck in their shutdown positions, the focus remains on immigration and health care. Republicans are confident that Democrats will provide damaging soundbites in defending their policy, where President Trump holds a dominant polling advantage. However, Democrats argue that the Republican message is short-sighted and doesn't address the core issues affecting Americans.
