President Donald Trump's former communications director warned that the ongoing battle between the White House and Congress "doesn't sound like winning."
In Tuesday's episode of "The View," the co-hosts addressed Speaker Mike Johnson's speech demanding Democrats stop their efforts to have healthcare subsidies attached to the government funding bill. He characterized it as "partisan demands" that are holding the government "hostage." Those subsidies are set to sunset at the end of the year, increasing the cost of health insurance for many Americans.
"Okay," Whoopi Goldberg said, responding to Johnson. "Mike, the Democrats' sticking point is keeping healthcare safe for millions of Americans. So, who exactly is holding who hostage here? And who is going to step up and make a deal? I mean, we know that you can do it, you're touting this deal that you did and you brought peace. Now what [are] you gonna do? What are you gonna do, Mike?"
Sara Haines noted that most Americans, including some MAGA Republicans, support continuing the subsidies.
But it was Alyssa Farah Griffin, Trump's former communications director, who said that the biggest problem she sees is that Congress has ceded its power to the White House.
"I remain with the 34% of Americans who think Congress in general deserves blame for the government shutdown. I worry a little bit about the optics here. A lot of folks feel like the presidency is too powerful. Donald Trump does kind of appear all-powerful, right now," she said.
So, while Congress is shut down, it's further showing that congressional responsibilities and power are being ignored.
"Right now, the White House has found ways to maneuver around Congress during this government shutdown," she continued. "You've seen Donald Trump in Israel, in Egypt, back in America. You've seen the White House extend [Women, Infants, and Children] benefits by using tariff revenue because those were stopped due to the shutdown. Trump has directed the Pentagon to pay troops because Congress is not passing this bill that will pay our troops, and he's also directing the Office of Management and Budget to look at ways to pay law enforcement."
The only resolution she sees is for the White House to step in and say they'll extend the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
"I would caution Congress, if you guys don't step up and reclaim your power, you have ceded it all to the White House, which at least half of you are claiming you want to stop," Griffin said.
She argued that Republicans in Congress should return to Washington rather than sit back and do nothing. They were sent home several days ago by Johnson.
"There is a quote in the Wall Street Journal from inside the White House, top Trump advisers joke they are ruling Congress with an iron fist," she said.
"That doesn't sound like winning. It sounds like Congress needs to step up and reclaim its power."
