A CNN anchor pushed back Thursday on a GOP lawmaker during a lively back-and-forth five days before the government is slated to shut down.
In a heated conversation between CNN anchor Brianna Keilar and Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Keilar pushed back on Meuser's claims that Democrats had "nonsensical demands" over the Affordable Care Act and that addressing healthcare and open enrollment would not be "a situation until December 31st" and a "scheme for insurance."
"So that's not true," Keilar said, clarifying that open enrollment begins in November.
"Hold on. Let me — I let you talk for a really long time. So let me just explain to viewers what we're talking about, because it's not so clear," she said, correcting Meuser's claims.
Keilar corrected him, explaining that open enrollment deadlines — something most people are aware of in the United States — is a concern before December.
"The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year, half of the people who get their insurance on the individual market, mostly through these ACA marketplaces, are actually connected to small businesses," she said. "So we're talking about small business owners, self-employed Americans, that's according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. You, of course, care a lot about this. You're on the small business committee."
President Donald Trump refused to meet with Democratic lawmakers this week, cancelling the meeting abruptly.
The White House Budget Office sent a memo Wednesday night telling federal agencies to prepare for mass firings if a funding deal is not reached, Keilar reported.
"Typically, government workers head back to work once the deal is done," she said.
"And as Republican leaders push a plan that would extend funding through Nov. 20, Democrats are demanding, among other things, an extension to Obamacare subsidies, which expire at the end of the year. Without those subsidies, health care premiums would skyrocket for many people."
