US Senate, House Democrats to introduce bill to keep government open

WASHINGTON

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Senate and House Democrats will release their own bill to keep the government open.

"Our bill will represent the right path to avoid a shutdown crisis by addressing health care costs and cuts, by preventing premiums from going up, by restoring and extending congressional funds," Schumer said at the Senate floor.

His remarks came a day after House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a Republican stopgap funding bill, which funds the government at current levels through Nov. 21.

"The last thing the American people want is a status quo bill that continues the chaos and high cost of the last nine months, but the Republican bill, not only is it partisan, but it's a status quo bill. It changes nothing," Schumer said.

The Republican continuing resolution (CR) is "certainly not the right answer," he added, accusing the Republicans of not negotiating with Democrats.

"Democrats don't want to shut down, but Republicans cannot shut Democrats out of the process," he added.