GOP Leaders Resist ACA Subsidy Extension During Shutdown Fight/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson say they will not commit to extending Affordable Care Act subsidies until Democrats agree to reopen the government. Democrats insist subsidies must be part of any funding deal, warning premiums will spike without them. The standoff continues as the shutdown enters its third day.
Shutdown Health Care Standoff: Quick Looks
- John Thune says ACA subsidies lack guaranteed Senate support.
- Mike Johnson insists “nothing to negotiate” on funding bill.
- Democrats demand subsidy extension before reopening government.
- Subsidies, enacted in 2021, expire at end of 2025.
- Expiration could trigger sharp increases in health premiums.
- Johnson vows “more reforms” to overhaul Obamacare.
- Shutdown delays critical data releases and deepens partisan gridlock.
- White House, lawmakers brace for continued stalemate.
Deep Look
Republicans Resist ACA Subsidy Extension as Democrats Tie Demands to Shutdown Negotiations
WASHINGTON — The government shutdown entered its third day Friday with no breakthrough in sight, as Republican leaders rejected Democratic demands to extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Republicans are open to discussions on health subsidies but made clear there would be no commitments until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
“That’s not something that we can guarantee that there are the votes there to do,” Thune said at the Capitol, casting doubt on Democratic hopes for immediate action.
The Senate is preparing for another government funding vote, but Thune’s remarks signal limited optimism for a compromise.
Johnson: “More Obamacare Reforms Coming”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed Thune’s stance and sharpened GOP opposition to ACA subsidies. He accused Democrats of holding government funding “hostage” to extend tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.
“These subsidies are not working for the people,” Johnson said. “We need common sense, responsible Republicans who are serious about policy to fix that.”
He added that Republicans are planning “more reforms” aimed at reshaping former President Obama’s signature health care law.
Democrats: No Reopening Without Subsidies
Democrats argue the expanded subsidies, first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, have kept millions of Americans’ premiums affordable. They insist the subsidies must be renewed immediately to prevent a sharp spike in premiums in 2026.
“We will not vote to reopen the government until the subsidies are extended,” Democratic leaders reiterated.
Republicans, however, maintain that negotiations over health policy should only begin after the shutdown ends.
Why It Matters
The ACA subsidies are credited with helping drive record enrollment in recent years. If they expire, premiums could rise by hundreds of dollars a month for millions of families, putting additional pressure on the Biden-era health care framework.
For Republicans, opposing subsidies fits into a long-running strategy of pushing to scale back federal involvement in health insurance markets. For Democrats, defending the ACA remains central to their political identity.
Shutdown Stalemate
The funding fight has frozen key government functions. The shutdown has already delayed federal labor market reports, and further disruptions are expected if the standoff continues.
Johnson downplayed the urgency of including ACA subsidies in the funding bill, saying the credits don’t expire until year’s end.
“I don’t have anything to negotiate,” Johnson said of the current funding package, noting it simply maintains existing spending levels.
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