While we are grateful that the government will finally reopen, we are deeply disappointed that the current Senate-passed bill (H.R. 5371) to do so fails to prevent the health care premium tax credits from expiring. Nor does it enact the necessary guardrails to prevent the administration from rescinding the funds Congress enacts.
The consequences of congressional inaction on these two issues are grave. With open enrollment already underway, millions of individuals and families across the country are looking at their premium costs as they struggle to make ends meet. Too many will decide health coverage is no longer in reach. Congress is once again failing to meet the basic human needs and rights of their constituents.
While an agreement to reopen the government has been reached, we continue to face a moral reckoning for our country.
The bill also does not include enforceable protections against future rescissions by the White House, without which, we fear the administration may continue to undermine the bipartisan appropriations process and Congress’ constitutional power of the purse.
Government shutdowns are never good, and this one has been particularly painful. Federal workers without paychecks, Head Start services closing, homes going cold without much-needed low-income energy assistance. Especially gut wrenching was the administration’s refusal, despite court orders, to release full SNAP benefits to the 42 million people who rely on the program to afford groceries. The White House preferred to appeal to the Supreme Court rather than ensure people had food.
While an agreement to reopen the government has been reached, we continue to face a moral reckoning for our country. Congress must act with urgency to extend the health care premium tax credits and unequivocally assert its power of the purse, establishing the necessary safeguards on upcoming spending bills.
