WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the federal government shutdown drags on, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is sounding hopeful that enough Democrats will join Republicans to pass a stopgap spending measure to reopen the government.
Speaking to The Flag in Washington D.C., Hoeven says discussions are ongoing to get “four or five” lawmakers from across the aisle to achieve that goal.
“We’re trying to appeal to the more practical Democrats, and hopefully urging them to open up the government,” said Hoeven.
Listen: North Dakota Senator Joh Hoeven with The Flag’s Scott Hennen
Hoeven said New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who he’s known since 2000, is one lawmakers who is attempting to negotiate with her colleagues to break the impasse.
While the shutdown currently affects non-essential workers, Hoeven indicated the shutdown will eventually seep into all areas of government if it doesn’t end soon.
“The longer this goes, the more people are going to feel those impacts,” said Hoeven.
“What we want to do is get into the regular order appropriation process, so not only we fund the government the right way but find savings and reforms instead of continuing resolutions.”
In negotiations to reopen the government, Democrats want Obamacare tax subsidies to be extended.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington says if they aren’t, North Dakotans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace will see their premiums go up 234 percent.
