Schumer Finally Comes To The Table
Washington, D.C. – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) unveiled a new “solution” on Friday to end the ongoing government shutdown, but conservatives say it’s nothing more than a massive taxpayer-funded bailout for Obamacare and another Washington spending spree.
Schumer’s latest proposal would extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for one year while passing a short-term government funding bill. Democrats claim the plan will lower health care costs, but Republicans warn it does the opposite — keeping the bloated health care bureaucracy alive and rewarding big insurance companies.
“Democrats have said we must address the health care crisis,” Schumer said. “Let’s reopen the government and extend the ACA premium tax credits simultaneously.”
The plan would also include a continuing resolution (CR) to fund agencies temporarily and a three-bill minibus drawn from earlier bipartisan talks. Schumer said he also wants to create a “bipartisan committee” to negotiate long-term “health care affordability” reforms — a phrase conservatives see as code for higher costs and more government control.
Republicans Fire Back: ‘Stop Feeding the Broken System’
Republicans were quick to push back on the proposal, calling it a gift to insurance giants and another Democrat scheme to grow government.
“It’s terrible,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). “The five largest health care companies in America have seen stock prices rise more than 1,000% since 2010. We’re flooding them with taxpayer dollars and fueling inflation. The system is broken.”
Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), head of the Republican Study Committee, slammed Schumer’s plan as a “nonstarter,” while the House Freedom Caucus labeled it “absurd.” GOP leaders say Democrats are prioritizing subsidies for insurers over relief for working families still struggling under high prices.
Democrats Split as Shutdown Pressure Builds
Behind the scenes, Democrats have been divided over how to end the shutdown. Progressive members demanded a full ACA subsidy extension, while moderates wanted an off-ramp before public backlash grows.
After days of internal debate, Schumer’s plan emerged as the unified Democrat position, sidelining an earlier proposal from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), which would have reopened the government first before negotiating health care reforms.
Thune reiterated that Republicans will not negotiate on health care until the government is reopened, noting that extending ACA subsidies “has little chance of passing” both chambers.
Critics Warn: Another Short-Term Fix with Long-Term Costs
Critics argue Schumer’s so-called compromise doesn’t solve the problem — it only throws more money at Obamacare, a program that’s driving up costs for families while enriching corporate insiders.
“Democrats call it reform, but every time they ‘reform’ something, Washington grows and taxpayers lose,” one GOP aide said. “This is another round of reckless spending disguised as compassion.”
With inflation still hurting seniors and middle-class families, conservatives say the last thing America needs is more government interference in health care and another trillion-dollar spending bill.
