Government Shutdown Statement from Representative Sewell
Terri Sewell, a U.S. representative from Alabama, addressed the situation surrounding the government shutdown on Wednesday. She expressed frustration with the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration, stating that they did not pass any spending bill prior to the September 30 deadline and then chose not to collaborate with Democrats for an extension.
Sewell attributed the government shutdown to the actions of Trump and the Republicans, emphasizing their history of disrupting healthcare access for Americans. “Now, as a result of this closure, Americans are likely to face rising health insurance premiums,” she noted, calling the situation “outrageous.”
She reiterated her position as a Democrat, saying that while they are negotiating with Republicans to resolve the shutdown and safeguard American healthcare, they are not going to support what she termed a “rubber vote” on Republican initiatives targeting healthcare. “It’s essential for Republicans to engage in constructive negotiations,” Sewell added.
In her statement, Sewell highlighted some critical information: In July, Trump and Congressional Republicans enacted significant healthcare cuts, aimed at providing tax benefits to the wealthy. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasts that these changes could lead to over 15 million Americans losing their health coverage, threatening the stability of more than 330 rural hospitals.
She pointed out that without action from Congressional Republicans, the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits will expire in December, which would result in drastically increased medical premiums for families. An analysis by KFF indicates that ACA Marketplace subscribers might see their out-of-pocket payments more than double next year if these tax credits are not extended. Sewell expressed concern that around 53,000 individuals may be adversely affected if these credits lapse.
Despite challenges faced by House Republican leadership and the cancelation of votes earlier in the week, Sewell stated that she has been actively working in Washington, committed to collaborating with both parties to keep the government running and extend the ACA premium tax credit.
To help constituents grasp the implications of the government shutdown, Sewell’s office has put together a resource addressing frequently asked questions.
