(MENAFN) US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday that Democrats have not engaged in any discussions with President Donald Trump or his administration regarding the ongoing government shutdown or efforts to address the nation’s health care crisis.

“I do not know of any Democrats who have spoken to President Trump or members of his administration on this issue of reopening the government, enacting a bipartisan spending agreement, and addressing the Republican health care crisis,” Jeffries told reporters at the Capitol.

He added that Democrats in both chambers remain ready to negotiate. “We are clear — we will sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone from the administration, including the president, to address the health care crisis,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Trump claimed the White House was in negotiations with Democrats, telling reporters in the Oval Office:
“We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things. And I’m talking about good things with regard to health care.”

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer disputed Trump’s statement, calling it “not true.” Schumer said Democrats have repeatedly urged Trump and Republicans to come to the table and work on bipartisan measures to lower health care costs and improve access for Americans.
The Senate on Monday rejected a House-passed Republican stopgap funding bill aimed at ending the government shutdown.

Following the vote, Trump reiterated on Truth Social that he is willing to collaborate with Democrats on health care — but only after the government reopens.

“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open. In fact, they should open our Government tonight!” he wrote.

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