US lawmakers propose bipartisan compromise to end government shutdown

A group of centrist lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties has proposed a bipartisan compromise aimed at breaking the political deadlock that has kept the government shut down for more than a month, Axios reports.

According to the outlet, the initiative includes extending tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and introducing a series of anti-corruption reforms.

The proposal’s authors — Representatives Don Bacon, Tom Suozzi, Jeff Gerd, and Josh Gottheimer — said their goal is to demonstrate that compromise remains possible despite deep political divisions.

The proposal also includes several reforms, including requiring ACA marketplaces to confirm that recipients haven't died, creating a new standard for cracking down on fraud and providing more transparency on the value of recipients' tax credits.

“Congress is gridlocked, and too many Americans have lost faith that we can work together,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “But here's the truth: Democrats and Republicans can sit down, listen to one another, and find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering health care costs.”

By Khagan Isayev