The Senate took a massive step forward recently by voting to pass key legislation to end the government shutdown. In a 60-40 vote, eight Senate Democrats crossed party lines to collaborate with Republicans in exchange for a future vote to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Now, it’s up to the House of Representatives to reconvene and adopt the new bill as soon as possible. Then, President Donald Trump will be able to reopen the federal government.
Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), however, voted against this new legislation, citing continued concerns about healthcare funding.
Ossoff released a statement focused entirely on healthcare, avoiding any mention of the shutdown and directing blame onto President Trump. “Premiums are set to double for 1.4 million Georgians, and nearly half a million Georgians could lose health insurance altogether,” Ossoff stated. “The President refuses to fix it and withholds SNAP benefits while the House has not even to come to work for six weeks.”
“With health care votes ahead, the question is whether Republicans in Congress will join us to prevent catastrophic increases in health insurance premiums," he continued.
Warnock also released a statement, expressing similar concerns. “I voted 'NO' on tonight’s proposal because it doesn’t provide relief to the 1.2 million Georgians who are about to see their health care premiums double and more. People cannot afford that,” he commented.
Just like Ossoff, Warnock directed blame to President Trump and his administration, blaming them for all of the harm resulting from the government shutdown. He then accused President Trump of weaponizing hungry people and sick people in an attempt to gain political leverage.
“Choosing between making health care affordable and stopping the endless chaos and damage of this President, including starving hungry children and seniors, should never be a decision we have to make in the United States,” Warnock explained.
