REP LIEU SLAMS TRUMP SHUTDOWN, CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO SAVE HEALTHCARE

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after Donald Trump and House Republicans shut down the federal government.

 “Americans are already crushed under the stress of inflation and a weak economy. Now add to that the biggest increase in health insurance costs in 15 years. And where are Republicans? On vacation. Republicans chose to shut the government down instead of saving health care for Americans and voting to release the Epstein files. 

“Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate. Their decision to not negotiate and to not bring Members back for a vote is why our country is here. The Trump shutdown is on them. In what other line of work could you blow off a critical deadline and expect to keep your job? Why do Republicans think they can consistently act in the best interest of their billionaire friends and ignore the needs of hardworking Americans? 

“Democrats are in DC, ready to work. Republicans: show up and do your jobs! It’s insanity.

“Because Republicans control every branch of government, they could stop the shutdown today. Senate Republicans can change their stupid and arcane rules to pass things on the floor with a majority vote, just like they did a few weeks ago to push through Trump’s radical nominees. The fact that Senate Republicans changed their rules a few weeks ago but are not doing so now shows that Republicans want this shutdown.” 

In CA-36, 36,000 people will see their health care costs rise if Republicans let critical tax credits expire. For a 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 a year, their annual premium will rise by $13,783. For a family of four earning $129,800 a year, their annual premiums will rise by $6,174. In CA-36, 27,765 people will lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to Medicaid (also known in California as Medi-Cal) in the Big Ugly Law and their plot to gut the Affordable Care Act.

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