Senate Democrats push Obamacare subsidy vote 'designed to fail' as Republicans call plan unserious
The Senate is readying for a vote on extending expiring Obamacare premium subsidies, but the proposal on the table is all but certain to fail.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.,...
By Fox News · Fox News
The Senate is readying for a vote on extending expiring Obamacare premium subsidies, but the proposal on the table is all but certain to fail. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., unveiled Senate Democrats’ long-awaited plan to prevent the subsidies from lapsing, which Senate Republicans nearly universally panned. A vote on the plan is expected on Thursday. "I mean, it's obviously designed to fail," Senate Majority Leader John Thune , R-S.D., told Fox News Digital. ABORTION RESTRICTIONS CREATE MAJOR ROADBLOCK FOR BIPARTISAN OBAMACARE SUBSIDY DEAL IN SENATE Schumer’s proposal would extend the subsidies for another three years without any of the reforms demanded by the GOP. And bipartisan talks that have been ongoing since the government shutdown ended have virtually ground to a halt. Thune said when the proposal fails, "if they want to have a serious conversation about a real solution, that can get underway." "But, you know, we haven't decided yet exactly what we're going to do. But what that signals, though, and evidences, is they're just not serious," he said. Senate Republicans have not landed on their own proposal and may not before the upper chamber leaves Washington, D.C., next week until the start of the New Year. SCHUMER UNVEILS DEMOCRATS' OBAMACARE FIX PLAN, LIKELY DEAD IN THE WATER There are several plans circulating among Republicans to choose from, but none have gained enough traction or support to hit the floor in a possible side-by-side vote. The subsidies, which were initially passed under former President Joe Biden during the COVID-19 pandemic and then enhanced to virtually remove any income caps — one of the many sticking points for Republicans — are set to expire by the end of the year. While the Senate struggles to find a way forward, lawmakers are quick to point the finger at who would own the subsidies' expiration. Senate Republicans contend that it’s Schumer and Senate Democrats who are to blame, given that they set the subsidies to s…