Overview
- On CNBC’s Squawk Box, Joe Kernen accused Democrats of holding workers hostage and called the standoff “extortion” during a tense exchange with Sen. Peter Welch.
- Welch said he is not ready to vote to reopen the government, arguing there has been insufficient dialogue on fixing Obamacare and rising premiums.
- Senate Democrats have repeatedly used the 60-vote threshold to block a clean GOP stopgap, while Republicans offer a later vote on enhanced Obamacare subsidies if the patch passes.
- The shutdown has reached day 29 with mounting strains as TSA and air traffic staff work without pay and as SNAP and WIC funds face near-term exhaustion.
- Welch pointed to a bipartisan bill with Sen. Josh Hawley to sustain SNAP benefits during the funding lapse.