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A central issue motivating the shutdown lies in funding for healthcare benefits for illegal aliens. Scalise accuses Democrats of prioritizing taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants—an issue they reportedly insist on as part of their legislative demands. He points out that 99% of Democrats in the House voted to shut down the government over these matters, reinforcing the partisan divide.
Maxine Waters' recent statements seem to confirm that Democrats are willing to shut down the government to press for these immigration-related policies. Scalise asserts that the Senate could vote to reopen the government today, but Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are refusing to do so because they want to continue funding benefits for illegals.