{"id":2500604,"date":"2025-10-19T07:04:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T11:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dug-in-lawmakers-see-trump-as-antidote-to-shutdown-gridlock\/"},"modified":"2025-10-19T07:06:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T11:06:20","slug":"dug-in-lawmakers-see-trump-as-antidote-to-shutdown-gridlock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dug-in-lawmakers-see-trump-as-antidote-to-shutdown-gridlock\/","title":{"rendered":"Dug-in lawmakers see Trump as antidote to shutdown gridlock"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdug-in-lawmakers-see-trump-as-antidote-to-shutdown-gridlock%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2500604&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the ongoing government shutdown nearing its three-week mark and the role former President Donald Trump might play in resolving the stalemate. While Trump has largely remained on the sidelines during negotiations, lawmakers from both parties see him as a key figure who coudl break the deadlock, especially since Democrats view him as a more flexible dealmaker compared to current GOP leaders. However, Republican leaders prefer that Trump refrain from direct involvement to maintain their leverage in talks.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are pushing for permanent extensions of enhanced healthcare subsidies under Obamacare,a central issue in the shutdown dispute,while republicans resist these demands. Some rank-and-file Republicans express a desire for Trump to become more engaged, believing his involvement could expedite a resolution, as seen during past shutdowns. Meanwhile, both parties continue their usual political activities despite the shutdownS impact on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"... Releases List of ...\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">federal workers<\/a>, reflecting a lack of urgency in negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>The White House denies rumors that Trump will override congressional GOP leadership in negotiations.Democrats criticize Trump&#8217;s negotiating abilities, arguing he has lost influence despite his reputation as a dealmaker. the article highlights the complex dynamics between Trump, congressional leaders, and the healthcare dispute at the heart of the shutdown.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Dug-in lawmakers see Trump as antidote to shutdown gridlock<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2375868\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President Donald Trump has largely stayed out of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3853699\/senate-heads-home-democrats-dash-john-thune-shutdown-strategy-pentagon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">government shutdown brawl<\/a> on Capitol Hill, which will soon reach its three-week mark.<\/p>\n<p>But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle see Trump as pivotal to ending the impasse centered on Democratic healthcare demands, even as GOP leaders so far want him to steer clear of negotiations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3856201\/jim-justice-hit-with-irs-tax-lien\/\">Jim Justice hit with IRS tax lien<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3856081\/democrats-flaunt-no-kings-posts-social-media\/\">Democrats flaunt &#8216;No Kings&#8217; posts on social media<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3848063\/mitch-mcconnell-helped-block-constitutional-amendment-ban-flag-burning\/\">Years before Trump&rsquo;s executive order, McConnell helped block a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Democrats view the president as the ultimate seal of approval for Republicans on any eventual path forward, and consider the self-described <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/debt-ceiling-tests-biden-claims-to-be-master-deal-maker-and-uniter-in-chief\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s claim as a master deal...maker and &#039;uniter in chief&#039; is being tested by the debt ceiling.\">master deal-maker<\/a> more open to negotiations and less ideologically rigid&nbsp;than GOP leaders, who refuse to engage with Democrats until they help reopen the government.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think Trump would ask [for] sign-off from anybody,&rdquo; Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;I think he&rsquo;d make a deal, as is perfectly his right to do so.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In Democrats&rsquo; estimation, top Republicans view it to their advantage that Trump has refrained from inserting himself and undermining the party&rsquo;s perceived leverage. Already, the president has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3848852\/trump-gop-shutdown-leverage-military-pay-wic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blunted the GOP&rsquo;s negotiating position<\/a> by diverting money to pay active service members and using&nbsp;tariff revenue to fund a welfare program for new mothers and their babies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That is the one ingredient that&rsquo;s missing,&rdquo; Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;[GOP leaders] are completely in his pocket. They&rsquo;re going to agree to what he wants, and they&rsquo;re not going to push back [on] what he wants. But they&rsquo;re not going to make a deal without knowing what he wants.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a statement to the <em>Washington Examiner,<\/em> a senior White House official sought to shut down the &ldquo;wish casting&rdquo; scenario, &ldquo;where the president comes in and rolls over his congressional leadership and the views of the entire Republican Conference.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a scenario that is pure fantasy,&rdquo; the official added.<\/p>\n<p>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Republicans in Congress, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), saying on Friday that Trump was &ldquo;very much committed to fixing the healthcare system, but first we need to reopen the government and get our people paid.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Still, there&rsquo;s an appetite among some rank-and-file Republicans for Trump to come off the sidelines and be more involved, as he&rsquo;s done in past fights both this year and in his first term, when his border wall demands precipitated a 35-day shutdown, the longest on record.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;At the end of the day, in this situation, to really get this thing off the bubble, I think it&rsquo;s going to take our president to be involved,&rdquo; Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) said. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Congress lacks a sense of &ldquo;urgency,&rdquo; according to Hawley, with both sides convinced that their position will ultimately prevail in the court of public opinion. In a disregard for shutdown optics, both parties have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3854076\/island-fundraisers-rooftop-soirees-babydog-birthday-bonanza-washington-shrugs-shutdown-optics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">forged ahead<\/a> with island fundraisers, rooftop soirees, and even a birthday bash for Justice&rsquo;s famous dog sidekick despite congressional staffers and some <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >2 million federal workers missing paychecks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump, center, stands before greeting Ukraine&rsquo;s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Democrats are betting that the start of next month will strengthen their hand in the fight over healthcare, as Obamacare enrollment opens and millions of beneficiaries face sharp increases in their monthly premiums.<\/p>\n<p>Obamacare is at the center of their shutdown demands, with Democratic leadership pressing for a permanent extension of enhanced subsidies, a concession that Republicans have broadly resisted.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s playing games with people&rsquo;s lives,&rdquo; said Hawley, who supports extending the subsidies that expire at year&rsquo;s end but with reduced eligibility. &ldquo;&rsquo;Let&rsquo;s wait for two weeks, and our position will get better.&rsquo; What does that even mean?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Trump and administration officials have tried to needle Democrats and inflict maximum shutdown pain by slashing programs and departments supported mostly by Democrats, arguing the shutdown gives them new authority to do so.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While they may claim healthcare is the driver of what they&rsquo;re doing, we all know that the primary reason that we&rsquo;re in this mess is because Democrats&rsquo; far-left base demanded a showdown with President Trump,&rdquo; Thune said in recent floor remarks. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3854076\/island-fundraisers-rooftop-soirees-babydog-birthday-bonanza-washington-shrugs-shutdown-optics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ISLAND FUNDRAISERS, ROOFTOP SOIREES, AND A BABYDOG BIRTHDAY BONANZA: WASHINGTON SHRUGS AT SHUTDOWN OPTICS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, Democrats continue to make their appeal to Trump, in some cases attempting to touch a nerve by questioning his status as a negotiator.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With Republicans in control of the White House and Congress, why can&rsquo;t they make a deal?&rdquo; Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer said in a statement. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re saying what everybody is thinking: The dealmaker-in-chief has lost his touch.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em>Christian Datoc contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lawmakers view Trump as key to ending shutdown deadlock<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2500606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25290664042254.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[39629,3673,3634],"class_list":["post-2500604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-government-shutdown","tag-lawmakers","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25290664042254.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500604"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2500608,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500604\/revisions\/2500608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2500606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}