WASHINGTON, D.C. – North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer is predicting lawmakers will come together and avoid a government shutdown by October 1st, but believes any possible closure will be brief.
“I don’t think they [Democrats] are going let there be a government shutdown, and if there is it’ll be a short one,” Cramer told The Flag on Friday.
Senators are currently at odds about passing a continuing resolution, or ‘CR for short, which are commonly passed to fund the government for a period of time until a more permanent solution can be reached.
Last week, all Senate Democrats, aside for Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, voted down a clean, seven-week funding bill proposed by Republicans.
Cramer says Democrats have offered a shorter, four-week alternative, but the party is demanding an extension of certain subsidies related to the Affordable Care Act.
The subsidies, which are targeted at health insurance premiums, will come to an end later this year if no extension is granted.
But Cramer believes the GOP can “win the argument” and convince enough Democrats to drop the stipulation.
“[In the end] I think there’ll be enough responsible or scared Democrats to come on board and fund the government,” said Cramer.
President Trump has accused Democrats of making “unserious and ridiculous” demands.
