Tiana Lowe Doescher projects shutdown layoffs to be ‘good threat’ to Democrats in deadlock
The article discusses commentary by Washington Examiner writer Tiana Lowe Doescher regarding the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown. Doescher suggests that the White House’s threat of mass federal worker layoffs, as articulated by Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, is an effective political strategy to pressure Democrats who are in a deadlock over funding. She explains that furloughed federal employees are not paid during the shutdown but will receive back pay once the government reopens,framing the layoffs as a political tactic rather than a permanent consequence.
Democratic senators have resisted funding the government without guarantees to extend enhanced premium tax credits related to Obamacare, which were expanded during the Biden administration amid the pandemic. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that permanently extending these credits woudl cost $383 billion but would prevent millions from losing health insurance. Simultaneously occurring, Democrats claim negotiations with Republicans, including former President Trump, have stalled as the shutdown began.
The Senate plans another vote to fund the government, and House Democrats intend to meet virtually despite the House being in recess. The article includes a video segment and links to related stories on the government shutdown and political dynamics involved.
Tiana Lowe Doescher projects shutdown layoffs to be ‘good threat’ to Democrats in deadlock
Washington Examiner Commentary Writer Tiana Lowe Doescher suggested that the threat of mass federal layoffs from the White House is “a damn good” strategy during the government shutdown.
Doescher appeared on Newsmax’s Wake Up America Early on Monday, the sixth day of the federal government shutdown. Host Alex Kraemer asked Doescher about the seriousness of the threat from Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to make shutdown furloughs permanent.
“The fact is, these workers are furloughed. When the federal government reopened, they get paid again, but it is a political strategy, and it’s a damn good one,” Doescher said.
Democratic senators have refused to fund the government until they are guaranteed the premium tax credits initially drafted under Obamacare and enhanced in the Biden era during the pandemic.
“As a result [of the shutdown], that means that Russ Vought, OMB director, is in charge of federal disbursements. That’s the way all shutdowns go. So if you don’t want Russ Vought to be in charge of this, don’t give him the power to do it,” Doescher said. “It’s a good threat.”
A Congressional Budget Office report said permanently extending the enhanced credits would cost the government $383 billion. However, if they permanently expire, the number of people without health insurance would rise by an average of 3.8 million annually by 2034.
The Senate is expected to vote on funding the government for a fifth time on Monday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) claimed Sunday that there haven’t been any negotiations since the government closed at midnight on Wednesday.
THE RISKS OF TRUMP’S ‘GRIM REAPER’ SHUTDOWN STRATEGY
“Well, the last time there was a conversation with Republican leadership was in the White House meeting last Monday. And unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent,” Jeffries said on NBC News’s Meet the Press.
Even though the House is in recess this week, Jeffries revealed that his caucus will meet virtually on Monday evening.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
