Republicans are losing at their own blame game. As the government shutdown freezes Washington, public opinion has shifted dramatically in favor of Democrats. But, the fight goes far beyond just keeping the federal government and its programs funded. It’s about healthcare and fighting back against the abhorrent Republican-led efforts to effectively end portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies at the end of the year.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans have continuously deflected and doubled down on falsehoods, running a campaign of partisan and political messages on government websites and airport screens. However, make no mistake: Republicans have full control of the federal government and have no one else but themselves to blame for the government shutdown. But, what is even more worrying is that Republicans are willing to stay in a shutdown to avoid acquiescing to Democrats’ healthcare demands, many of which largely benefit voters in ruby-red states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Republicans have a majority in the House of Representatives with 219 seats and in the Senate with 53 seats. Yet, they remain divided on the issue of extending ACA’s subsidies, with some corners of the Republican conference wanting to either scrap them entirely, extend it temporarily, or negotiate later when the government reopens. Their failure to pass a budget is because Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and President Trump have continuously refused to come to the table and negotiate in good faith with Democrats. But to reopen Washington, it is becoming increasingly clear that Senate Republicans need to convince enough Democrats to join them in ending the filibuster threshold to end debate on any funding resolution. Most Democrats, however, are signaling that they won’t do that until Republicans give in on their healthcare demands.
A recent Washington News poll showed that 47% of Americans blame Donald Trump and the Republican Party for the shutdown, while only 30% blame Democrats. Voters know who’s at fault and Republicans are scrambling to change the narrative by shifting the blame to their political opponents.
Even some far-right Republicans are blaming their own party for this fiscal mess Notably, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, has pivoted and vocally blames her own party for failing to keep the government open.
Amidst a shuttered government, Democrats must seize this moment and prove to voters that they actually stand for something. Congressional Democrats should continue their offensive and pressure Republicans to cave to their demands. We cannot allow for a repeat of the same spineless behavior that allowed Republicans to be bailed out. In March, ten Senate Democrats voted with Republicans in passing the stopgap funding bill to keep the lights on in Washington. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer drew sharp criticism for providing the votes Republicans needed to pass a “dirty continuing resolution” out of fear that Trump’s reckless government shakeup could get worse under a shutdown.
Democrats must make the case to voters that Republicans have no interest in governance: they only care about giving their wealthy supporters tax cuts, greasing their pockets, and rewarding their biggest supporters, all at the expense of the safety net programs Americans rely on.
It is not normal for politicians to hide and run away from their jobs in an effort to avoid accountability from the public that they serve.It is not normal for House and Senate Republicans to hold the federal government hostage because they refuse to extend the life-saving healthcare subsidies that lower the costs of health care to Americans.
This is precisely the reason why Democrats shouldn’t provide any votes to any Republican-led funding measure until the Affordable Care Act subsidies are extended: so that millions of Americans can continue to afford their healthcare costs.
Democrats must not capitulate to Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
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