Comment Re:many gov sites down but (Score 1) 193
They essentially want congress to live by the same means the people who use the exchange will have to
Congressional staff gets special-cased because they're forced into the exchanges (this is a feature, not a bug!). Most people with full-time employment get employer contributions; the intent of the "special treatment" clause that everyone derides is basically giving Congressional staff the equivalent of a private employer contribution towards their insurance. But, here's the thing -- the Democrats would gladly accept this if it were offered to get things rolling again. I saw the glee when it looked like that was going to be the only, symbolic demand being made pre-shutdown; sadly, it didn't come to pass.
and either delay the mandate for as long as the executive order allows Big business to ignore it, or force big business to play on the same terms as the citizens
Has the House offered a proposal in which cutting off the subsidy for Congressional staffers and undoing the executive order giving big business a deferral was the only change made? I'm entirely serious here.