Ayesha Rascoe de NPR talks to Senator Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, about the strategy of his party aimed at a possible closure of the government.
Ayesha Rascoe, host:
President Donald Trump will meet tomorrow with the main leaders of the Congress of both parties. The White House meeting occurs only one day before a deadline to approve Legis Leate to avoid a government closure. For the last about negotiations and what it means to civil services, Senator Andy Kim accompanies us now. He is a Democrat who represents New Jersey. Good morning, senator.
Andy Kim: Good morning.
Rascoe: Senate leaders John Thune and Chuck Schumer and the leaders of the Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries representatives will meet with President Trump tomorrow. What do you expect to get out of that meeting?
Kim: Well, I am slippery that this meeting is happening, and I am slippery that President Trump changed his mind. I think he shows that the president feels pressure for his position before he does not want to deal with the Democrats, not to negotiate. And I think it’s because the American people feel a lot of pain at this time. You know, I’m here in New Jersey, going around my state. The people here have bones that tell me too much about the continuous challenges they face in terms of cost of living, medical care and housing, and want relief, and do not see Donald Trump at this time.
Rascoe: What is the strategy of the party, the strategy of your party, in these negotiations?
Kim: Well, negotiations are about addressing the thesis exactly the needs of the American people. You know, they are terrified of their medical care costs. As of October 1, we will see that medical care costs increase dramatically for so many Americans, and we want to ensure that this president addresses that, by this Republican Administration, which has been able to be able to be. Therefore, we will fight to reduce those costs for Americans and help them be able to address the needs in their families.
RASCOE: If the Republicans are not willing, as they have said, to delay some of these changes that come from the bill of expenses that were approved earlier this year, that will affect Medicaid, that will affect a feet insurance, it should, it should, it should, should, should, should, should, should, should, shouldnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn, should.
Kim: Well, look, you know, we’ll see how negotiations are going tomorrow in terms of what Trump is willing to move on why we know, you know, President Johnson and the Republicans of Congress, say Trump. So, you know, enter, you can talk to Donald Trump and see how much this pressure on it is being reduced. You know, he is someone who has said in the past that if a closure occurs, which is the fault of the president. So we will see how far you are willing to get. But what we must make sure to address here are the righteous high costs that people face. And what I hear from people is simply: they only use the word chaos and use the exhausted word. You know, they are exhausted by Donald Trump, and they don’t see this chaos help them. In fact, it is making things more unpredictable in their lives.
Rascoe: But if there is a closure, that would also be chaotic, right? The Trump administration has threatened with massive shots throughout the government if there is a closure. What would you say to those who will blame the Democrats for that?
Kim: Well, no, I don’t think they blame the Democrats because, I mean, look, Donald Trump said, you know, it’s the president’s work to unite people. You know, look, see it as not willing to governor. At this time, we are seeing a situation in which Donald Trump is literally trying to tear down and dismantle the other two branches of the government. You know, he doesn’t want to be able to do what we normally need to do in terms of being able to negotiate. And the American people are seeing that. They are seeing that he is the focal point, the cause of this chaos in their lives.
RASCOE: Is there any plan for what would happen if the closure occurs and are released to more federal workers? Is there any message that Democrats have? Is there any plan, you know, to try to support people who are losing their jobs?
Kim: Oh absolutely. I mean, we have legs on our legs to support federal workers. He used to be a federal official under Republicans and democratic presidents. I served through multiple stops. I did not get a payment check, despite working. I know how difficult this is, and I don’t want to see this. But what we also see is just a flagrant anarchy of Donald Trump at this time. And when they threaten to say goodbye to federal employees, it seems fair, you know, directly, you know, mafia, directly, just as you know, we will do what we want to do. And people don’t want that. So, you know, I think it will be immensely counterproductive to Donald Trump if he takes us along that way.
RASCOE: Should Americans be concerned about essential services such as time prognosis and the federal emergency response if there is a closure?
Kim: You know, after having gone through this several times, you know, we know some of the things we will have to worry about, and that is what we are trying to close the gap. You know, we want to make sure, you know, this is something that if a closure occurs, if Donald Trump causes a closure, we will try to minimize the damage and challenges facing the US people. So, yes, that is part of the negotiations. You know, we are going to try to do everything possible to minimize it if it comes to that. I hope we avoid it. You know, I hope that Donald Trump reaches these negotiations, willing to be able to address some of these needs faced by the American people and demonstrate that, yes, you know, we must ensure that we join at this time.
Rascoe: That is Senator Andy Kim in New Jersey. Thank you so much.
Kim: Thank you.
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