Shaheen Statement on Vote to Reopen the Government, Advance Key Democratic Priorities

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after voting for the deal she brokered alongside Senator King (I-ME) and Senator Hassan (D-NH) to reopen the government and take action on several Democratic priorities:

“Today, the Senate voted to reopen the government and took a big step forward towards protecting the health care of tens of millions of Americans.

“This agreement gives Democrats control of the Senate floor—at a time when Republicans control every level of power—on one of our top legislative priorities: Extending the enhanced premium tax credits to make health care more affordable for millions of Americans.

“Let’s be clear: This is a major step that was not predetermined. I have spent years as the lead sponsor of this legislation. There is no one in the Senate who wants to see these tax credits extended more than me. But weeks of negotiations with Republicans have made clear that they will not address health care as part of shutdown talks — and that waiting longer will only prolong the pain Americans are feeling because of the shutdown.

“This agreement also reinstates thousands of fired federal workers and guarantees back pay to more than one million others. That was never a given, either. And critically, this deal restores a bipartisan appropriations process which includes funds for SNAP, WIC and health care for veterans.

“With the government reopened, it’s time to move quickly to ensure we keep health care premiums from skyrocketing. President Trump, Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson have all said they are willing to find a way of extending these tax credits. We are ready to negotiate immediately. The American people are counting on us to get this done — and they will remember next November if my Republican colleagues block those efforts.”

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