Chuck Schumer

I’m concerned about Americans’ health care.

They aren't political trophies — they are lifelines. They mean tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs. They mean shorter commutes, safer travel and a stronger economy not just for New York, but for the entire nation.

It’s clear that the way out of this shutdown is to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to address the looming health care crisis that faces tens of millions of American families.

The shutdown could go away very quickly.

He seemed to understand for the first time the magnitude of this crisis.

If you think your shutdown is a joke, it just proves what we all know: You can’t negotiate. You can only throw tantrums.

We’ve delayed and delayed and delayed.

The time is a-wasting. We have to do it now.

It’s up to the Republicans whether they want a shutdown or not.

There are still large differences between us.

If the president at this meeting is going to rant and just yell at Democrats and talk about all his alleged grievances... we won't get anything done.

We need a serious negotiation.

You know, the meeting is a first step, but only a first step.

We hope it doesn’t come to that.

Small businesses would lose access to capital. Home buyers would be unable to secure loans. Our supply chains would be imperiled and costs to American families would go up and up.

Over a million active duty military members won’t get their pay. A shutdown would degrade troop readiness and devastate our southern borders, something our friends on the other side who claim to care about border security conveniently…

Very large differences still remained over cuts to various health care programs.

Still large differences between us.

It's in the president's hands whether we avoid a shutdown or not.

No, no, we have to do it now. The time is a wasting. We have to do it now. We've delayed and delayed and delayed.

Now if the President at this meeting is going to rant and just yell at Democrats and talk about all his alleged grievances and say this, that and the other thing, we won’t get anything done.

God forbid the Republicans shut the government down.

We need the meeting. It’s a first step, but only a first step. We need a serious negotiation.

This is an attempt at intimidation. Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one — not to govern, but to scare.

Trump is running away from the negotiating table before he even gets there.