Democrats Seek to Fortify Obamacare Amid Government Shutdown

As a government shutdown enters its 16th day, Democrats are using their leverage to try and fortify the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans assail them for the hardships mounting from the cutoff of government services. The dynamic of this shutdown is almost the opposite of the last major health care fight in 2013, when conservative Republicans in the House and Senate pushed their leaders to block legislation to extend government spending unless it also repealed the Affordable Care Act. That attempt ended in a 16-day shutdown that produced no changes to the law.

Key Takeaways:

• The current shutdown is the longest federal closure in U.S. history, with no end in sight, as Democrats use their leverage to try and extend tax credits for rising health insurance premiums while Republicans refuse to back down.
• In 2013, Republicans tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act by shutting down the government, but the move was met with bipartisan opposition, and the shutdown ended in a defeat for Republicans.
• Democrats are buoyed by polls showing that more Americans blame Republicans than Democrats for the current shutdown and that the health care subsidies are overwhelmingly popular.
• The current standoff is similar to the 2013 situation, with Republicans refusing to back down and Democrats using their constitutional powers to force a resolution.
• Republicans have been open to negotiating a fix for the expiring health care subsidies, but only after Democrats vote to reopen the government, a step they have so far refused to take.
• Elections around the country on Tuesday are being considered a factor, with Democrats favored to post victories, which could allow them to declare that the voters are behind them and that they have successfully put the focus on rising health care costs and forced Republicans to confront the issue.
• Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, said that the reason the current shutdown is resonating and that Democrats are showing unity is because they are asking for what people really want and need, and all of a sudden it's being taken away from them.
• Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, recalled an unsuccessful shutdown that began at the end of 2018 and went on to become the longest-ever government closure, a distinction that could be lost next week, as he said, "We tried to repeal Obamacare by shutting down the government. Shutting down the government to get a policy never works for anybody."
• Senator Ted Cruz's 21-hour speech against the Affordable Care Act in 2013 set the stage for the 16-day government shutdown, but ultimately earned him the enmity of Republicans who believed he had gotten them into a no-win situation.

Statistics:

• The current shutdown has lasted 16 days, with no end in sight, making it the longest federal closure in U.S. history.
• The 2013 shutdown lasted 16 days, with no changes to the Affordable Care Act.
• A federal judge ordered the administration to continue paying for food stamps during the shutdown.
• Federal nutrition programs are at risk of running out of money, and the Trump administration has refused to spend contingency funds to maintain the benefits.
• Republicans have refused to back down on their demand for a fix to the expiring health care subsidies, but only after Democrats vote to reopen the government.
• The current shutdown is almost the opposite of the last major health care fight in 2013, when conservative Republicans in the House and Senate pushed their leaders to block legislation to extend government spending unless it also repealed the Affordable Care Act.

Sources:

• "The New York Times," Carl Hulse article, no date.
• "John Boehner," The New York Times, October 2013, quoting Speaker John Boehner on Senator Ted Cruz.
• "Senate Leaders," The New York Times, October 2013, quoting Senator Harry Reid.
• "Senator Lindsey Graham," The New York Times, October 2013, quoting Senator Lindsey Graham.
• "Senator Ted Cruz," The New York Times, October 2013, quoting Senator Ted Cruz.
• "Federal Judge Order," The New York Times, October 2019, quoting a federal judge's order.