LOS ANGELES (OC).–Since the government shut down Oct. 1, Congress, under its Article One powers, seems utterly paralyzed to stop what’s become the most self-destructive government act in U.S. history. Democrats, the minority party in the House and Senate, haven’t done enough to end the paralysis, wreaking havoc on the nation, shutting down the air-traffic control system and cutting the cash needed to provide food to poor Americans, 42 million are on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program [SNAP] once known as Food Stamps. Democrats stood up to Republicans refusing to end the shutdown unless Republicans agreed to restore $1.5 trillion [over 10 years] in Medicaid fund, including Obamacare subsidies. Shutting down the government has cost the economy $15 billion a day in lost government efficiency, leaving the country teetering on what looks like recession.
Democrats and Republicans in Congress act helpless, with Democrats blaming President Donald Trump, who, granted, hasn’t done much to end the shutdown. Trump thinks Democrats are trying to blackmail Republicans into modifying the July1 Big Beautiful Bill that passed with a 60 vote simple majority, causing the current mess. Republican knew that when the next budget reconciliation bill came up there were going to have a problem getting Democrats to sign on. Sure enough, when the government rand out of money Oct. 1 needing a continuing budget resolution Democrats didn’t sign on, letting the government shut down. From the Democrats perspective, they were fighting for health care for some 70 million Americans on Medicaid and another 25 million receiving Obamacare subsidies. Elected officials act like there’s nothing that can be done to fix things.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said Congress has done nothing to deal with the government shutdown other than partisan finger pointing. “Every time I brought up the idea of doing a second reconciliation bill where we don’t need Democrats, our leadership just ignores me,” said Kennedy, frustrated with the lack of progress. “I don’t blame the president for being frustrated,” Kennedy said. “He’s frustrated that we’re not getting off our ice-cold, lazy butts and passing bills that would be part of this agenda. Republicans, like Kennedy, act that it takes a rocket scientist to figure out what Democrats what to end the stalemate. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffried (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y,) have been very clear what they need from Republicans. Democrats demand that the $1.5 trillion in lost Medicaid and Obamacare funds be reinstated.
Without the fund restored soon, Obamacare premiums, without government funding, will go through the roof, causing extreme hardship to some 25 million citizens on Obamacare. When it comes to Medicaid cuts, if not restored, 70 million citizens are a risk of losing their health care, including long-term care especially receiving treatment in skilled nursing homes. Whatever happens to patients and their families it’s one thing but what happens to nursing homes and hospitals around the country dependent on Medicaid funds? Republicans’ decision to slash Medicaid and Obamacare funding was flagrantly irresponsible, knowing it would create so much havoc. Republicans only fix now is to restore funding to Medicaid and Obamacare, without making more excuses or promising new programs. President Trump said he would like to pay the people directly.
Republicans have slim majorities in the House and Senate, taking for granted their fragile leadership positions that could change in next year’s Midterm elections. Judging by Republican losses in last Tuesday’s off-year election, it looks like the GOP and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) are in real trouble heading into the 2026 Midterm elections. Letting the shutdown go on longer is suicide for the GOP, knowing a proud 34-yar-old socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected New York City Mayor. When you add to that Democrat women governors in Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans already took a beating. If the stock market melts down and the economy heads south, what does the GOP think will happen next year? GOP leaders should jump at the chance to cut a deal with Democrats to restore Medicaid and Obamacare funding and end the shutdown.
Democrats and Republicans have hit the critical mass with today’s government shutdown, requiring both sides to stop playing politics and get something done for the people. Over 70 million Americans count on Medicaid to pay for health care, not to mention the thousands of health care facilities that require government funding. Republicans made a colossal blunder in the July 1 Big Beautiful Bill slashing $1.5 trillion in Medicaid and Obamacare funding over the next 10 years. Democrats insist that the Medicaid and Obamacre funds be restored before they’ll sign onto a clear reconciliation bill. Republicans need to admit recent defeats around the country and join Democrats and restoring necessary health care funding. Ending the shutdown should be the top priority for Trump and the GOP. If it means restoring Medicaid they should do it.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
