Sen. Dick Durbin presses GOP to resume shutdown talks : NPR

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., leave a news conference after a Senate vote at the Capitol in Washington on September 30.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

As the government shutdown enters its ninth day, Sen. Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, is urging House Republicans to return to Washington and negotiate, warning that millions of Americans could soon see their health care premiums double if Congress does not act.

“There is certainly [a way out]and that’s an obvious outcome,” Durbin said Morning edition. “Call on both parties to come to the table immediately and find ways to address the challenge we face. Millions of American families will see their health care costs double if Congress does not act immediately.”

The Senate on Thursday rejected competing bills intended to fund the government for the seventh time, by a vote of 54 to 45. At the center of the impasse is a partisan conflict over whether, and how soon, Congress should expand market subsidies from the Affordable Care Act. About 24 million Americans who do not have workplace insurance or public insurance, such as Medicaid, rely on these marketplaces to purchase coverage.

Republicans, who control Congress, say Democrats are blocking their funding plan under pressure from their base. They say no health care deal can be reached until the government reopens. Democrats acknowledge they have limited leverage, but say if the Affordable Care Act tax credits are not extended, health care costs will skyrocket.

Durbin, who is set to retire in two years, said the impact of inaction will soon be felt in his home state.

“October 27 is the date Illinois will announce the new hospitalization bonuses,” he said. “On average, we expect these premiums to double, especially for people under the Affordable Care Act.”

Durbin argued that House Speaker Mike Johnson was trying to prevent dissent within his own ranks by keeping the House in recess instead of calling it back into session.

“If they talk among themselves in the Republican caucus and talk about the impact that this increase in health care costs is going to have on families, there are going to be people who are going to break with their loyalty to the party,” Durbin said. “That’s why he told them to stay home.”

Durbin said Senate Republicans have shown few signs of breaking with their leadership — noting that “a few of them are talking, but nothing has come to fruition yet.” He Agree with Senator Chuck Schumer’s assessment that “every day gets better” politically for Democrats.

“What we’re seeing is that an overwhelming majority of voters agree that we should do something to reduce these health care costs, and do it immediately,” he said while acknowledging that he was “sensitive” to the consequences of government dysfunction.

As pressure mounts from federal workers, military families and small businesses impacted by the shutdown, Durbin said the path forward lies in negotiation, not blame.

“Families are struggling with grocery and utility bills, and health care costs are rising dramatically in many states,” he said.

This interview was adapted for the web by Majd Al-Waheidi and edited by Treye Green.