Democrats holding government ‘hostage’ over Obamacare subsidies, WaPo says

The Washington Put up editorial board criticized Senate Democrats on Wednesday for holding the federal government “hostage” for a month in hopes of extending costly Obamacare subsidies, and urged them to reopen the federal government by voting for a clear finance invoice.

“The suitable reply is to reopen the federal government with a clear funding invoice, ideally for a full 12 months, to maintain meals stamps flowing and federal staff again within the workplace, after which have a debate about ACA subsidies,” the Post editorial staff said. “Democrats overtly acknowledge that they refuse to do that as a result of it will imply giving up their energy. In the event that they persist, it might imply households going hungry.”

Over the weekend, the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) warned in a memo that because of the ongoing shutdown and lack of appropriations, funding for meals stamps – formally often called the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP) – would run out on November 1.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES PREPARE FOR MISSED PAY CHECKS AS SHUTDOWN ENTERS 5TH WEEK

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Home Speaker Mike Johnson disagree on the federal government shutdown. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters; Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Regardless of having an emergency fund of about $5 billion, the USDA says the cash just isn’t “legally obtainable.”

The Put up editorial mentioned one purpose the federal government shutdown has dragged on for almost a month is as a result of “most Individuals have felt no discernible affect on their every day lives,” however warned, “That is beginning to change.”

“This sore level, mixed with three different dynamics, ought to assist velocity up an finish to the shutdown as early as subsequent week by making Democrats blink,” the editors wrote.

Along with the expiration of SNAP advantages, one other issue that would speed up the top of the shutdown, in line with the Put up editorial, is the beginning of the open enrollment interval for well being care buying, which begins Saturday.

“Many individuals will expertise sticker shock once they see how a lot their premiums will rise. Democrats will be capable to argue that they’ve made their level about the necessity to save Obamacare by extending subsidies which can be about to run out,” the newspaper reported.

WASHINGTON POST WARNS DEMOCRATS MAY HAVE FALLEN INTO TRUMP ‘TRAP’ OVER GOVERNMENT SUTDOWN

Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters on the Capitol in Washington, October 16, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

One other catalyst, in line with the Put up editorial, is that Democrats are “favored to win the majority” of subsequent Tuesday’s off-year elections — with doable victories within the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races, in addition to the New York Metropolis mayoral race, probably permitting get together leaders to avoid wasting face by framing them as a public rebuke of President Donald Trump.

“Senate Majority Chief Charles E. Schumer and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries are each New Yorkers who worry the Mamdani wing of the get together,” the paper mentioned. “Schumer allowed the shutdown to proceed as a result of he worries about heading off a major challenger in 2028, and he’s nonetheless affected by the backlash he obtained from offended liberals after agreeing to fund the federal government this spring.”

The Put up additionally famous that federal authorities unions are “shedding persistence” with the Democratic Get together, citing a latest assertion from the American Federation of Authorities Staff (AFGE), which represents greater than 800,000 federal workers. The union mentioned the closure is hurting its members and referred to as for swift motion to finish it.

“It is time to move a clear, persevering with decision and finish this shutdown at the moment. No half-measures and no gamesmanship. Put each federal worker again to work with full again pay – at the moment,” AFGE President Everett Kelley mentioned in a press release Monday.

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The federal government shutdown is anticipated to price taxpayers $400 million a day to pay laid-off federal staff, in line with information from the Congressional Funds Workplace. (Mehmet Eser/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)

The Put up urged lawmakers to “save the talk for an additional day” over whether or not too many individuals qualify for SNAP advantages, and as an alternative give attention to retaining the federal government open to help their constituents.

“Conserving the federal government open have to be saved separate from coverage conflicts over how you can spend taxpayer cash,” the newspaper wrote. “It’s incorrect for Democrats to carry the federal government hostage for a month in hopes of extending costly Obamacare subsidies, simply because it was for Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to close down the federal government for 16 days in 2013 in an effort to rescind the Inexpensive Care Act altogether.”

Fox Information Digital reached out to Schumer’s workplace for remark however didn’t instantly obtain a response.

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Alex Miller and Elizabeth Elkind of Fox Information contributed to this report.