House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, left, are warning their party is rejecting any government shutdown deal that does not extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Debra L Rothenberg/WireImage)
"And number two, we need some commitments that if we sign up for a budget, the budget will actually be observed," he added.
Both Himes and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, referenced earlier comments by senior appropriator Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., to Politico, questioning why Democrats would join the GOP in funding negotiations given the Trump administration's propensity for cutting spending that Congress agrees on.
DeLauro told reporters after the meeting that Republicans "absolutely" needed to deliver on Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), in written legislation.
"Why should we believe them if it's not in legislation?" she asked.
DeLauro said earlier, "We certainly don't want to shut down. We've said that all along, and all we need is good, bipartisan cooperation. That's what's necessary. We've been able to do that before, I anticipate we ought to be getting there now. And all this is about is affordability, affordability of health care costs."
Other House Democrats who spoke with Fox News Digital did not directly say the subsidies were worth risking a shutdown, but argued they needed to be addressed immediately.
"Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and so look, I mean, to not address that reality is political malpractice. Congress has an obligation to do something, and we have to do something now. We're here in Washington because we want to fix the problem. Republicans aren't here," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said.
"It's about whether people continue to afford to have adequate healthcare…this is a big issue, and this is a fight the American people, I think, are on our side on."
Congressional Republicans and Democrats left a meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump with no clear path forward to avert a partial government shutdown on Sept. 29, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
While House Democrats appear united on the matter, however, it's the Senate that is pivotal in the current equation.
The House passed the CR largely along party lines earlier this month, and it's now on the Senate to advance the measure before midnight on Oct. 1 to avert a shutdown.
But even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., signaled on Monday evening that Democrats would hold firm.
"They say give us 45 days. Since March, we've had 45 days and 45 days and 45 days and 45 days. We asked to meet earlier, they didn't want to," Schumer told reporters. "So we think when they say later, they mean never. We have to do it now, first because of the timing issue, and second, because now is the time we can get it done."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-democrats-threaten-shutdown-fight-protect-obamacare-perks