Senator Mike Rounds on Government Shutdown and Federal Budget Cuts

Blame for the Government Shutdown

• 🎯 Senator Mike Rounds believes the government shutdown is the Democrats' fault, referring to it as the "Schumer shutdown."
• 💡 He argues that Democrats took the government funding process "hostage" to advance their agenda, despite Republicans' willingness to work on appropriation bills.

Senate Legislation and Bipartisanship

• 🏛️ Rounds emphasizes the need for 60 votes in the Senate to pass legislation, highlighting that Republicans have successfully passed three appropriation bills and an NDAA with bipartisan support.
• 🤝 He advocates for "regular order" in the Senate, where bills can be debated and amended, stating that this process has been successful until the threat of a shutdown emerged.

A Path to Resolving the Shutdown

• 💬 Rounds proposes a solution where Democrats end the shutdown in good faith, assuring them that Republicans are serious about bipartisan work on issues they care about.
• ⚠️ He warns that a shutdown makes it virtually impossible to work with Democrats on any further legislation.

Federal Government Cuts and Presidential Authority

• ✂️ Regarding potential cuts to the federal government, Rounds stated he would prefer the President not to use his authority to dismantle parts of the government.
• ✅ However, he acknowledged the President's authority and responsibility, stating he would not condemn it if the President chose to act, as it would be his decision for the country's best interest.

Urgency for ACA Subsidies

• 🏥 Rounds points out the urgency for Democrats to address ACA subsidies before November 1st, noting that the ongoing shutdown reduces the time available for negotiation on this critical issue.