WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement on Tuesday at the White House as the federal government’s shutdown continued.

While federal government employees were furloughed or working without pay, Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about the price of not funding the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance subsidies that expire Dec. 31.

“They’re the ones that have it, and it’s almost like a kamikaze attack by them. You want to know the truth, this is like a kamikaze attack. They, they almost, you know, they have nothing to lose,” Trump said about Democrats.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to X on Monday night and wrote, “Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!!”

On Tuesday, Axios reported a memo showed Trump’s Office of Management and Budget argued that although the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 authorized federal government employees to get paid when the shutdown ends, the appropriation of the funds needed to be included in new legislation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Greene doesn’t serve on committees that deal with “those specialized issues” and said Republicans plan to discuss this in the future.

“I think the entire system is messed up,” Greene wrote on Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed with Greene and said funding ACA is not a choice.

“Hold on to your hats: I think this is the first time I’ve said this, but on this issue, Rep. Greene said it perfectly,” Schumer said.

Members of Congress and Trump continue to get paid during a shutdown. Federal essential employees have to work without pay and expect back pay once the shutdown ends.

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