Shutdown Looms as Jeffries, Vance Trade Blame After Heated Talks

Jeffries doubled down, arguing that Republicans were “closing hospitals, nursing homes and community clinics” while rewarding “billionaire donors.” He also warned that premiums and deductibles could spike “in a matter of days” if the Affordable Care Act tax credits were not renewed.

Meanwhile, Republicans pushed back hard. Vice President JD Vance told reporters after the meeting that Democrats were the real obstacle. “I think we’re headed into a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing,” Vance said.

He blasted Democrats’ early spending proposal as “absurd,” claiming it funneled “hundreds of billions of dollars to illegal aliens for their health care while Americans are struggling to pay their bills.”

With the deadline to pass a continuing resolution set for midnight on Oct. 1, Congress has only days left to strike a deal. The House already approved a temporary funding measure, but it stalled in the Senate — leaving the nation teetering on the edge of another shutdown.