Kevin Hassett, a senior economic advisor at the White House, stated on Monday that the ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to conclude at some point during the current week. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Hassett, who leads the National Economic Council, suggested that while a resolution appears likely soon, the Trump administration might consider more assertive actions if progress stalls. n nNow in its third week, the shutdown persists due to a deadlock in the Senate over budget allocations. Republicans are advocating for a temporary funding measure that maintains existing financial levels. In contrast, Democrats insist that any interim legislation must incorporate expanded healthcare provisions, particularly an extension of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act set to expire by the end of the year. n nHassett noted that intelligence from Senate sources indicates Democratic hesitation to support reopening the government before the large-scale “No Kings” demonstrations scheduled for the weekend, fearing it could appear politically disadvantageous. However, he expressed optimism that bipartisan compromise remains possible. n n”There’s a real possibility that an agreement comes together quickly this week,” Hassett remarked. “Moderate members on the Democratic side may move forward to restore operations, allowing policy discussions to proceed through standard legislative procedures.” n nHe attributed the impasse to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, referring to the situation as the “Schumer shutdown,” a narrative promoted by Republican leadership. Should negotiations fail, Hassett indicated that the White House, in coordination with budget director Russell Vought, would assess more forceful strategies to compel Democratic engagement. n nNeither Schumer nor House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded promptly to requests for comment. Recent polling data shows a majority of voters hold the Trump administration and Republicans responsible for the stalemate, while also favoring the continuation of ACA insurance subsidies—factors that may strengthen the Democratic stance. n nEarlier in September, Schumer told Punchbowl News that Democrats had anticipated the funding deadline and strategically positioned healthcare as a central issue. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune proposed allowing a vote on extending Obamacare tax credits in return for ending the shutdown, but leading Democrats have not accepted the offer. Some are instead urging President Trump to enter direct talks. n nHassett emphasized that although Trump has been actively involved behind the scenes, the President believes the Senate should resolve the matter independently. n— news from CNBC
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White House economic advisor Hassett says shutdown could end this week
Top White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett on Monday predicted the government shutdown is “likely to end sometime this week.” n nBut if that does not happen, the Trump administration may impose “stronger measures” to force Democrats to cooperate, Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said on CNBC ‘s “Squawk Box.” n nThe comments came deep into the third week of the shutdown, which is dragging on with no clear end in sight amid a partisan fight in the Senate over federal funding priorities. n nRepublicans want to pass a short-term resolution to resume funding at current levels. Democrats demand that any stopgap bill include additional spending on health-care protections, including an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that are due to expire at year ‘s end. n nHassett said on CNBC that he has heard from the Senate that Democrats thought it would be “bad optics” to vote to reopen the government before this weekend ‘s massive nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump. n n”Now there ‘s a shot that this week, things will come together, and very quickly,” Hassett said. “The moderate Democrats will move forward and get us an open government, at which point we could negotiate whatever policies they want to negotiate with regular order.” n n”I think the Schumer shutdown is likely to end sometime this week,” he said, referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., whom Republicans blame for the funding lapse. n nBut if it doesn ‘t, “I think that the White House is going to have to look very closely, along with [White House budget chief Russell] Vought, at stronger measures that we could take to bring them to the table,” he said. n nSchumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not immediately respond to CNBC ‘s requests for comment on Hassett ‘s remarks. n nHassett ‘s remarks suggest that Democrats are looking for a politically opportune moment to fold in the shutdown fight. But with numerous polls showing more voters blame Trump and Republicans for the impasse — and indicating strong support for extending the ACA health insurance subsidies — Democrats mostly haven ‘t budged. n n”Every day gets better for us,” Schumer told Punchbowl News earlier this month, “because we ‘ve thought about this long in advance and we knew that health care would be the focal point on Sept. 30 and we prepared for it.” n nSenate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said last week that he has offered Democratic leaders a vote on extending the Obamacare tax credits in exchange for opening the government. n nBut top Democrats appear to be rejecting Thune ‘s entreaty. Instead, some Democrats are calling on Trump to participate in negotiations himself. n nHassett said Monday that Trump “has been very active throughout this process, but it ‘s also his position that this is a thing that the Senate needs to work out.”