Trump says Democrats want shutdown, but party leaders say it won't happen

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders in both parties said Thursday they expect to pass legislation to prevent a government shutdown, despite a tweetstorm from President Trump accusing Democrats of trying to force one.

"I'm confident we'll be able to pass a short-term extension (of government funding)," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters at a news conference Thursday. He did say, however, that the only reason a short-term bill is needed is because Democrats have been "dragging their feet" in negotiations for a longer-term bill.

The House and Senate Appropriations committees introduced legislation Wednesday night to extend current government funding for a week, through May 5. Current funding is set to expire at midnight Friday unless Congress acts. A week-long extension would give congressional negotiators more time to come up with a deal to fund federal agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2017, which ends on Sept. 30.

The House is expected to approve the one-week extension on Friday, with the Senate voting immediately after that.

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she wasn't sure whether Democrats would support the short-term extension. But she said Ryan should have enough votes among Republicans to pass it.

"We are committed to keeping government open," Pelosi said.

She said lawmakers are continuing to try to resolve the remaining issues that are holding up a longer-term deal, including disagreements over a rule that requires financial advisers to act in the best interests of clients saving for retirement. Democrats want to protect the rule in the funding bill but Republicans want to scrap it, saying it is confusing and burdensome. Democrats also are seeking aid for Puerto Rico, which is running out of Medicaid funds.

"We are hoping we will be able to resolve these differences," she said.

However, Trump accused Democrats of trying to force a shutdown to bail out Puerto Rico and reward insurance companies that give them campaign donations. Democrats have been pushing for language in the funding bill to ensure that the Trump administration continues to pay subsidies to insurance companies that offer low-cost coverage to low-income Americans under the Affordable Care Act.

Trump had threatened to stop making those payments to pressure Democrats to support a health care bill to replace the ACA — also known as Obamacare. The White House seemed to back off that threat Wednesday, with officials promising to continue making those payments, at least for now.

"Democrats jeopardizing the safety of our troops to bail out their donors from insurance companies," Trump said in one tweet. The funding bill is expected to include extra money for defense programs and combat operations.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he was heartened by Trump backing off his threat on the Obamacare payments and by the president dropping his insistence that immediate funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border be included in the 2017 funding bill.

"When the Trump administration takes into account the Democratic position and is willing to move in our direction, they can make progress on issues," Schumer said. "There are some sticking points that remain, but I'm optimistic we can come up with an agreement very soon. The final product will be something that both sides can be proud of."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said said he's happy the one-week extension bill would protect thousands of retired coal miners from losing their health benefits at midnight Friday.

"I’ve fought for (the benefits) throughout this entire process, as I continue to lead the fight to secure them on a permanent basis," he said.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Thursday that he will vote against the week-long funding extension if Republicans try to force a vote Friday or Saturday on their latest bill to replace Obamacare.

"If Republicans announce their intention to bring their harmful TrumpCare bill to the House Floor tomorrow or Saturday, I will oppose a one-week continuing resolution and will advise House Democrats to oppose it as well," he said. "Republicans continue to struggle to find the votes to pass a bill that will kick 24 million Americans off their health coverage ... That's why they are trying to jam it through the House before their members can hear from the American people this weekend about their opposition to this horrible legislation."

Ryan told reporters Thursday that Republicans are making progress on their health care bill but have no set date to bring it to a vote. He said the latest amendment would strengthen health care for people with pre-existing conditions by giving them a greater choice of insurance providers.

"We have not yet made any decisions on a vote," Ryan said, adding that he did not feel pressure to pass a bill by Saturday, which will be Trump's 100th day in office. "We will continue our progress and our work to repeal and replace Obamacare."