U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, released the following statement Wednesday “after the Republican-led Congress and the Trump Administration failed to pass a single appropriations bill before the September 30 funding deadline and refused to negotiate with Democrats on an extension,” Sewell’s release shared.
“Trump and Republicans are responsible for this government shutdown,” Sewell said. “They are so hellbent on kicking Americans off their health care that they are willing to shut down the government in order to achieve it. Now, not only will Americans face skyrocketing health care premiums, but they will also have to pay for this reckless Republican shutdown. It is outrageous.”
“As Democrats, our position has not changed,” Sewell said. “We are willing to work with Republicans on a bill to end this shutdown and protect the health care of the American people. However, we will not vote to rubber-stamp the Republican assault on our health care system. It’s time for Republicans to come to their senses and meet us at the negotiating table.”
Sewell’s release also shared the following information, “In July, President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed the largest cut to health care in American history in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Their so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ makes nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicare in the next ten years. An analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ would result in more than 15 million Americans losing health care coverage. More than 330 rural hospitals could be forced to close.
“Now, without action by Republicans in Congress, Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits will expire in December, sending health care premiums soaring for American families. According to a new analysis published by KFF, the expiration of ACA premium tax credits would cause out-of-pocket premium payments to more than double next year for ACA Marketplace enrollees, growing by 114 percent, from an average of $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026. In Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, more than 53,000 people will see their health care costs rise if Republicans let these critical tax credits expire,” Rep. Sewell’s release stated.
Despite House Republican leadership canceling votes on Monday and Tuesday, Sewell said she spent the past two days in Washington ready to work with Republicans on a bill to keep the government open and extend the ACA premium tax credits.
To help constituents understand the impacts of a Republican shutdown, Rep. Sewell’s office has compiled answers to frequently asked questions here.
