Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Demand ACA Action in Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended Democrats’ shutdown strategy in a CNN town hall. They called on Republicans to extend ACA subsidies before funding government operations. Both criticized GOP leaders and urged party unity around progressive causes.
Sanders, AOC Town Hall + Quick Looks
- Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez demand ACA subsidy extension to end shutdown.
- Both progressives reject temporary health care deals or IOUs.
- Town hall highlights deep partisan divide on funding and priorities.
- Federal workers press Democrats on the shutdown’s personal impact.
- AOC doesn’t rule out future Senate primary against Schumer.
- Speaker Mike Johnson blamed for congressional inaction and distraction.
- AOC open to bipartisan health care work, but skeptical of Greene.
- Sanders calls out Democrats for not backing Zohran Mamdani in NYC.
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Demand ACA Action in Shutdown
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — During a tense CNN town hall on Wednesday night, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended their party’s hardline position in the ongoing government shutdown and urged Republicans to extend key Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies before any government funding bill can pass.
Moderated by Kaitlan Collins, the 90-minute event revealed just how far apart Democrats and Republicans remain on reopening the government — and how deeply progressive lawmakers are invested in using this standoff to protect health care programs they say are at risk of collapse.
Progressives Stand Firm: “No Deals Without ACA Subsidies”
Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York, emphasized that she will not support any funding measure unless ACA subsidies are formally extended through legislation — and not just promised.
“I don’t accept IOUs. I don’t accept pinky promises. That’s not the business that I’m in,” she said.
Sanders, the independent Vermont senator, echoed her stance, mocking Trump’s credibility and saying that even a verbal pledge from the president wouldn’t be enough to secure his support.
The duo flatly rejected a one-year extension of the subsidies, arguing it would be a political ploy to delay rising health care premiums until after the midterms.
“We will not accept the collapse of the ACA system before our eyes,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
GOP leaders have scoffed at the idea of addressing health care funding before passing a clean continuing resolution. The White House issued a statement blaming “Democrat Shutdown” obstructionism while noting delays in communications due to staff furloughs.
Balancing Shutdown Strategy with Human Costs
The town hall brought Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez face-to-face with the real-life consequences of the shutdown. Federal workers asked how they’re supposed to survive without paychecks and government-backed assistance.
“We don’t want the government shut down,” Ocasio-Cortez told one furloughed federal worker. “But we must protect people from skyrocketing health care costs.”
She and Sanders insisted they were working to end the shutdown as quickly as possible — but only if the final deal includes ACA protections.
AOC Addresses Rumors of Challenging Schumer in 2028
Republicans have speculated that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is taking a firm stance on the shutdown to avoid a future primary challenge from Ocasio-Cortez in 2028.
When asked directly, AOC brushed off the rumors.
“It’s such an insane suggestion,” she said, calling it a distraction tactic by the GOP.
Still, she did not explicitly rule out a future run, prompting Sanders to jump in and redirect the conversation to more pressing issues like homelessness, climate change, and income inequality.
“Let’s talk about that — not her political future,” Sanders said firmly.
Targeting House Speaker Mike Johnson
Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez took direct aim at House Speaker Mike Johnson, blaming him for stalling negotiations and keeping the House out of session.
“I’ve never seen people who hate working so much in my life,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Democrats believe Johnson is avoiding a vote that could trigger a motion on unrelated matters like Jeffrey Epstein records if a new Democratic member from Arizona signs on.
Republicans deny this, claiming that the House has already passed a seven-week funding measure and that pressure should be placed on the Senate.
“How do you negotiate with people who won’t show up?” Sanders asked.
AOC Skeptical of Working with Marjorie Taylor Greene
Despite Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unexpected concerns about ACA subsidy expirations, AOC was not convinced.
When asked whether she could work with Greene, AOC responded:
“On what?” she said with a laugh, adding, “Talking a good game is one thing. Backing policy is another.”
She noted her willingness to work bipartisan deals with Republicans — citing a maternal health bill co-sponsored with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis — but insisted it would take action, not words.
Sanders Calls Out Democrats Over Mamdani Snub
In one of the town hall’s most heated moments, Sanders criticized his own party — particularly Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — for refusing to endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee in New York City’s mayoral race.
“What’s not to like?” Sanders said. “He’s a great candidate.” Then, turning directly to camera, he added: “Hakeem, you watching this?”
Ocasio-Cortez, while less forceful, still expressed concern that party leadership hadn’t backed Mamdani post-primary.
“It’s never too late to do the right thing,” she said.
What’s Next?
The town hall showed the shutdown is as much about philosophy and priorities as it is about budgets and timelines. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez made clear that health care access is the line in the sand for progressives.
But as the shutdown enters its third week, questions remain: Will Democrats hold the line? Will Republicans negotiate? And how long can federal workers wait?
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