Democrats Face Backlash Over Shutdown Deal Without Health Care Extensions

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is facing backlash from within the Democratic Party for supporting a funding deal that did not include extensions for health care subsidies. This criticism comes after a 43-day government shutdown, which ended with a House vote on a funding bill that passed 222 to 209, with six Democrats voting alongside Republicans.

Jeffries emphasized that Democrats will continue to fight for the extension of health insurance subsidies, stating, 'This fight is not over for us. We're just getting started,' according to CBS News. Many Democrats viewed the lack of health care provisions as a significant dealbreaker, and they had long pressed for these extensions as part of negotiations to reopen the government.

However, despite their efforts, the Senate passed a bill with some Democratic support, which included no health care provisions, leading to frustration among party members. Jeffries noted that constituents are concerned about high grocery and utility costs, as well as health care expenses, which underscores the urgency of the situation.

He expressed determination to force Republicans to vote on a separate bill aimed at extending health insurance tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. In a procedural move, he plans to attempt a discharge petition to bring the matter to a vote, although he would need some Republican support for this to succeed.

Meanwhile, the decision to pass the funding bill without health care extensions has highlighted internal tensions within the party, as the six Democrats who broke ranks did so primarily due to the pressures of upcoming reelection campaigns.

Their votes provided a crucial cushion for the Republican leadership, allowing the measure to pass despite overwhelming Democratic opposition. According to The Hill, these lawmakers argued that the shutdown had caused significant harm to their constituents, highlighting the need for stability provided by the funding bill.

For instance, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez stated that 'the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums won't be won by holding hungry Americans hostage.' The backdrop of this situation includes the looming midterms, where many of these Democrats face tough challenges in maintaining their seats, thus influencing their decision to support the funding bill despite party leadership's stance.

In contrast, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders have framed the shutdown as a result of Democratic intransigence, placing blame on their opponents for the prolonged standoff. Jeffries, however, attributed the shutdown to Republican decisions, stating that it should not have been embraced, and that bipartisan cooperation was necessary to avoid such outcomes.