Ted Cruz: Government Shutdown 'Needs to End'

nfluential conservative groups with deep pockets are pushing Republicans to demand steep concessions from Democrats in exchange for extending health care subsidies, a move that risks prolonging a US government shutdown now in its 20th day.

Activists on the right, including a powerful political advocacy group funded by billionaire Charles Koch, are running ads and holding meetings to pressure Republicans to stave off Democrats’ demands. If they must negotiate, some of the groups argue, Republicans should at least leverage any health care talks to score political wins on abortion and other priorities resisted by Democrats.

Their push comes as congressional Republicans are divided over how to handle the expiring Obamacare premium subsidies at the center of the shutdown fight. Democrats have insisted they will not reopen the government until Republicans agree to extend those subsidies to head off a spike in insurance premiums for more than 22 million Americans. nfluential conservative groups with deep pockets are pushing Republicans to demand steep concessions from Democrats in exchange for extending health care subsidies, a move that risks prolonging a US government shutdown now in its 20th day.

Activists on the right, including a powerful political advocacy group funded by billionaire Charles Koch, are running ads and holding meetings to pressure Republicans to stave off Democrats’ demands. If they must negotiate, some of the groups argue, Republicans should at least leverage any health care talks to score political wins on abortion and other priorities resisted by Democrats.

Their push comes as congressional Republicans are divided over how to handle the expiring Obamacare premium subsidies at the center of the shutdown fight. Democrats have insisted they will not reopen the government until Republicans agree to extend those subsidies to head off a spike in insurance premiums for more than 22 million Americans.nfluential conservative groups with deep pockets are pushing Republicans to demand steep concessions from Democrats in exchange for extending health care subsidies, a move that risks prolonging a US government shutdown now in its 20th day.

Activists on the right, including a powerful political advocacy group funded by billionaire Charles Koch, are running ads and holding meetings to pressure Republicans to stave off Democrats’ demands. If they must negotiate, some of the groups argue, Republicans should at least leverage any health care talks to score political wins on abortion and other priorities resisted by Democrats.

Their push comes as congressional Republicans are divided over how to handle the expiring Obamacare premium subsidies at the center of the shutdown fight. Democrats have insisted they will not reopen the government until Republicans agree to extend those subsidies to head off a spike in insurance premiums for more than 22 million Americans. Sen. Ted Cruz says, accusing the Democrats of holding "the American people hostage." The Texas senator spoke about flight delays and withheld pay caused by the shutdown. Cruz also discussed the "No Kings" protests and other topics on "Balance of Power" with Joe Mathieu and Julie Fine.

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