To head off an oncoming government shutdown, a minimum of 60 senators in the 100-member chamber must cast an aye vote for a plan to keep funding flowing through government. But of the short-term spending plans put forward by both Republicans and Democrats, neither address what Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul sees as the nation's most pressing problem.
If the president can't fire them, who can?Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), on whether President Donald Trump's threats to trigger mass layoffs during a shutdown
"Both plans are laden with deficit spending and I think that's the biggest problem that our country faces," Paul told CBS's Face the Nation Sunday. "I've proposed a 'penny plan,' which would cut a little bit across the board... We got a vote on mine last week and 36 Republicans supported, 16 didn't, and no Democrats did. So my plan didn't pass either. But the plan that I would support would be a plan that reduces deficit spending."
The Associated Press reports Republicans are daring Democrats to vote against legislation that would keep government funding mostly at current levels, but Democrats have held so far firm. They’re using one of their few points of leverage to demand Congress take up legislation to extend health care benefits.
The Trump administration has used the suggestion of mass layoffs during the window provided by a possible shutdown to pressure Democrats to abandon their health care push.
Paul said he thinks Trump will be able to make good on those threats.
"There have been several cases adjudicated now all the way up to the Supreme Court and the president seems to have won every one of them on his ability to hire and fire within the executive branch," the senator said. "I think this is understandable because, in the executive branch, if the president can't fire them, who can?"
"Without consulting Congress?" host Margaret Brennan pressed.
"For hiring and firing people in the executive branch, I think he has a great deal of leeway," Paul responded.
What do Democrats want?
Democrats say that any deal must extend enhanced Obamacare tax credits that are slated to expire at the end of 2025.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is backing that demand. He recently renewed calls for federal lawmakers to allow the tax credits to continue, warning that Kentuckians who rely on individual and small group health insurance plans could see rates go up "dramatically" in January if action isn't taken.
"Between the ‘big, ugly bill’ taking aim at our health-care system and the threat of these credits expiring, quality health care is going to be out of reach for most families – and that’s just wrong. It’s time for Congress to act by prioritizing people over politics and extending these essential tax credits," the governor said.
Beshear and 17 other governors from across the nation sent a letter earlier this month urging congressional leaders to extend the credits.
Insurance rate filings for 2026 are currently available for individual and small group health insurance plans, including kynect. Roughly 97,000 Kentuckians who have purchased an insurance plan on the individual market, including kynect, will be impacted by the increased rates — according to the governor.
These numbers could again grow if Kentuckians lose Medicaid eligibility and move to the individual market.
If government funding legislation isn’t passed by Congress and signed by Trump on Tuesday night, many government offices will be temporarily shuttered.