Governor Katie Hobbs discussed Arizona's recent legislative session this week while commenting on the ongoing federal government shutdown, which is now in its 16th day.
Speaking with media outlets, Katie Hobbs referenced what she described as a productive legislative session under her administration, which was achieved in a divided government.
"Our state is stronger because I have continued to focus on Arizona first and the politics last," Hobbs said during a recent interview. "I've taken on the tough challenges that so many of my predecessors, career politicians, have ignored for years, and we got stuff done because I'm willing to work with anyone to deliver for Arizona."
The governor referenced her handling of the state budget earlier this year, when she vetoed a budget proposal and negotiations resumed.
"I vetoed an extremist budget, I forced people back to the table and we passed a bipartisan and balanced budget," Hobbs told ABC 15. "That's what leaders are supposed to do, and we're not seeing that from Washington."
Day 16
Her comments came as the Senate held its tenth vote this week on a House-passed measure to reopen the federal government. The bill has repeatedly failed to reach the 60 votes needed to advance, with Republicans and Democrats at an impasse over health insurance tax credits.
At the center of the dispute are Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire on December 31. Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered Democrats a vote on extending the subsidies for one year. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected the offer, seeking a guaranteed outcome rather than just a vote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he could not commit to holding a House vote on the tax credits during his daily press conference this week, describing the issue as requiring broader congressional input, as reported by CBS.
"The Obamacare subsidy issue is not the issue of today. It is a subsidy that expires Dec. 31," Johnson said. "We were always planning to continue the debate and discussion about that issue in October and November."
Johnson stated that any decision would require what he called a "member-driven consensus process" involving all 535 members of Congress.
"It's not something that four people can go into a back room and guarantee an outcome on," he said. "When Leader Thune offered a vote on the ACA, on the subsidy, without guaranteeing an outcome, Schumer said, nope, no thanks, we'll keep it closed."
Senate GOP leaders are pursuing an alternative approach, voting this week on a full-year Pentagon funding bill with potential additional spending measures attached. Whether this strategy will gain Democratic support remains unclear.
