The Shutdown
The Democrats in Congress have chosen to precipitate a government shutdown in order to force negotiation on two issues:
The restoration of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies that will expire at the end of the year.
The restoration of Medicaid eligibility for many Americans who will lose eligibility at the end of the year.
Both of these issues arose from changes adopted by the current Congress in the “Big Beautiful Bill”. The changes were intended to partially fund tax breaks which will largely benefit the wealthiest Americans. The expiration of A.C.A. subsidies will result in massive increases in the cost of health insurance for a large number of Americans. The changes to Medicaid eligibility will mean that many more Americans will lose access to health care. Rather than agree to talk about these issues, the House Republicans chose to adjourn. The Senate Republicans refused to negotiate until after the resolution continuing government funding passed. The result is the government shutdown that began at midnight.
Characterizing this showdown as a Republican position vs. a Democratic position is misleading. Polling has shown that the effects of these two changes are extremely unpopular with a wide spectrum of Americans—rural and urban, Democrat and Republican, conservative, moderate and liberal. Given the lack of popular support for the provisions at issue, the refusal to talk about the issues is more accurately characterized as a clash between the American public and those of their elected representatives who hold the slim majority in Congress.
There will be a lot of pressure to reopen the government. And, there will be a lot of finger pointing and blaming about the shutdown. There is a good chance that the concerns of the American people will be drowned out by the noise. If there is to be any chance that the will of the people will prevail on these issues, it is crucial that those who want Congress to negotiate now on these issues make their voices heard. Some of you have chosen to stand outside at 6:30. Some of you have chosen to call, write letters or take other actions. However, you think you can best make your voice heard, I urge you to speak up now for the millions of Americans whose access to healthcare is at risk. And, I urge you to continue to take some action every day for five minutes until Congress negotiates on these issues.