As the United States grapples with the longest government shutdown in history, reaching day 40, Arizona's Senators cast their votes against the resolution that aimed to temporarily reopen the federal government. Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego voiced his concern, saying, "I cannot in good faith vote for a show vote that does nothing to guarantee that 24 million Americans get the health care they deserve," according to FOX 10 Phoenix. His colleague, Sen. Mark Kelly, shared a similar sentiment, stressing that, "In the richest country in the world, families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and their health care," in light of President Trump’s administration's approach to the shutdown.
While the Senate secured the 60 votes necessary to move forward with the deal, these decisions by the Arizona Senators were not isolated cases of defiance. Over in Iowa, Democratic stakeholders kept pressure on their leaders to continue the fight for health care initiatives, specifically the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, as reported by Iowa Capital Dispatch. The looming deadline could mean premiums doubling for those insured through ACA Marketplaces, according to their coverage. Nathan Sage, an Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, expressed his frustration at the dinner in Des Moines, stating, "Millions of Americans are going to lose their health care. Millions of Americans are not going to know what to do."
Amidst this politically charged atmosphere, promises of a Senate vote on the ACA subsidies by Senate Majority Leader John Thune were met with skepticism. Rita Hart, Iowa Democratic Party Chair, said it was "difficult" to trust Republicans on the promised vote and that "they’re going to have to have some kind of guarantees that there's actually going to be some kind of a vote, some kind of a movement." Zach Wahls, a State Senator also contending for U.S. Senate, firmly stated, "Senate Democrats shouldn’t cave — when working families’ health care is on the line, you fight," in his statement to Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The U.S. House has not yet approved the continuing resolution, leaving the federal shutdown unresolved. This has affected American families, including those relying on SNAP food benefits. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture memo indicated potential funding cuts. At the Liberty and Justice Dinner, Iowa Democrats highlighted the situation and raised funds for local food banks. Efforts continue to reach a broader resolution addressing federal funding and support programs.
