KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said Friday night he expects the ongoing federal government shutdown to continue well beyond Thanksgiving, arguing Democrats will eventually have to relent on healthcare funding demands before a deal can be reached.
Appearing on NewsNation, Burchett said the impasse has little chance of ending soon. “I think it’s going to go on after Thanksgiving,” he said. “The pain is going to continue until the TSA, you have three or four Democrats peel off and capitulate on this thing.”
Burchett defended House Republicans’ position and blamed Democratic leaders for the stalemate, saying the GOP already voted for a “clean CR” — the same type of temporary spending measure he said Democrats have supported “13 times in the past.” He rejected Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s offer to end the shutdown by extending Affordable Care Act tax credits for another year, calling it a giveaway to insurance companies.
“It funds the insurance companies,” Burchett said. “Let’s look at who makes the profit — multibillion-dollar profits with the insurance companies. It’s not about taking care of people. It’s about power. It’s about control.”
The Knoxville Republican said he agrees with President Trump’s call for the Senate to remain in session until an agreement is reached. “I agree with President Trump that the Senate needs to stay in Washington and not come home until they fix this dadgum problem,” he said.
Burchett has represented Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2019.
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