The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump wants to sign a stopgap spending bill on the night of the 12th (local time) to end the federal government shutdown, now in its 43rd day.
Reuters reported that day that White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, "President Trump looks forward to finally ending this destructive Democratic shutdown with his signature," adding, "We hope the signing will take place late tonight."
The stopgap bill, whose main content is to fund the federal government through Jan. 30 next year, passed the Senate on the 10th through a compromise between Republicans and some Democrats, and is headed for a House vote that afternoon. If the Republican-led House passes the bill, it will take effect after President Trump's signature.
Leavitt also unleashed criticism at the Democrats. Leavitt said, "Why did Democrats make the American people suffer like this for 43 straight days? Purely because of partisan politics," and, regarding Democrats blocking passage of the bill by demanding an extension of subsidies for so-called Obamacare, called it "an outrageous demand to provide tax-funded medical benefits to illegal immigrants who have invaded our country."
She continued, "Obamacare is a 'broken system' that has dramatically driven up national health care costs," while adding, "When the government is back up and running, President Trump is fully open to discussions related to health policy."
Leavitt also said, "The Democratic shutdown has made it extremely difficult for economists, investors, and policymakers at the Federal Reserve (Fed) to receive key government data," adding, "There is a strong possibility that the October consumer price index (CPI) and the employment situation report will never be released, and even if they are, all economic data will be permanently damaged."
Leavitt said of President Trump's statement that he would pay $2,000 (about 2.86 million won) in dividends to everyone except high-income earners using tariff revenues, "The White House is committed to making that happen and is reviewing all legal avenues for it."