(Washington, D.C.) Democratic lawmakers and liberal groups erupted Sunday after eight Senate Democrats sided with Republicans to advance a bill reopening the federal government without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. The measure, which funds agencies through January, includes a December vote on ACA tax credits that would require 60 Senate votes to pass—an almost insurmountable hurdle.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the move “a very, very bad vote,” arguing it will raise premiums for over 20 million Americans and could cause 15 million to lose Medicaid or ACA coverage. The eight Democrats voting for the deal were Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (ME), Dick Durbin (IL), John Fetterman (PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), and Jacky Rosen (NV).
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) said Democrats “will not support spending legislation” that fails to extend ACA tax credits. Progressive Reps. Becca Balint (VT) and Jared Huffman (CA) labeled the deal “complete BS” and “a lousy deal.” Liberal groups, including Indivisible and MoveOn, accused Senate Democrats of “surrendering” to President Donald Trump and ignoring voter sentiment from the recent midyear elections.
Party divisions deepened as House Democrats discussed possible primary challenges to Senate colleagues who supported the bill, while Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) slim majority complicates its path forward.
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