美国政府又面临“关门”！民主党开条件，不满足“9月底就关门”

Core Points - The U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown as the September 30 deadline for federal funding approaches, with Democrats demanding the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies as a condition for supporting any funding agreement [1][2] - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has threatened to vote against the Republican short-term funding bill unless it includes provisions for healthcare needs [1][3] - The expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies could lead to significant premium increases for millions of Americans, potentially causing political backlash ahead of the 2026 midterm elections [2][3] Group 1: Political Standoff - The core of the standoff revolves around the extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, which were initially passed as part of COVID-19 relief measures and significantly reduced premiums for low-income and middle-class consumers [3][4] - Approximately 24.3 million Americans are enrolled in ACA plans, with around 22.4 million receiving subsidies; the termination of these subsidies could result in an average monthly premium increase of over 75% for those affected [3][4] Group 2: Republican Dilemma - Republicans face a challenging decision as they have long opposed ACA and related subsidies, but the potential political fallout from rising premiums is concerning, especially with narrow control of Congress [4][6] - The Congressional Budget Office estimates that making the enhanced subsidies permanent could increase the deficit by $335 billion over the next decade [4][6] Group 3: Legislative Dynamics - The current congressional landscape complicates the passage of any bill, with Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and needing bipartisan support in the Senate [6][7] - Some Republican leaders are showing signs of compromise regarding the extension of subsidies, while others remain firm on fiscal discipline [6][7] Group 4: Political Pressures - External and internal political pressures are complicating the situation, with former President Trump opposing any compromise with Democrats and progressive Democrats pushing for a strong stance [7] - The focus remains on ACA subsidies, as they may garner some Republican support, contrasting with other healthcare funding issues that are less likely to attract bipartisan agreement [7]