The Senate Minority Leader and the Senate Democratic leadership stood firm in the face of the government shutdown, but at least eight moderate Senate Democrats betrayed 24 million Americans who face skyrocketing health insurance premiums and the 4 million who will lose their coverage altogether, by striking a terrible deal with Senate Republicans to reopen the government.
At the time of publication, it is unclear who all the moderates are, but they are led by Shaheen and King.
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Senator Tim Kaine is a moderate, and here is his reasoning for helping Trump kill 50,000 Americans a year:
This deal guarantees a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits, something Republicans were unwilling to do. Lawmakers know that their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the polls by someone who does.
This legislation will protect federal workers from unfounded terminations, reinstate those who were unfairly terminated during the shutdown, and ensure that federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I passed in 2019. This is a crucial step that will help federal employees and all Americans who rely on government services. I will continue to work toward a long-term government spending plan that includes critical priorities to support Virginians and fund Virginia community projects.
The vote that Tim Kaine is so excited about was first proposed to Democrats in mid-October. Democrats have secured increased funding for SNAP through September, but Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to allow a vote on the ACA subsidies in the House, and even if the bill passes, Trump will veto it.
This vote that the Senate takes will not benefit the millions of people who will lose their health insurance.
It bears repeating that while Chuck Schumer is being criticized, it is not his agreement. In the Senate, Schumer can’t do much as minority leader if senators in his caucus decide to break ranks.
However, there is hope as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vows to keep fighting.
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