(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — As millions of Americans received notifications from the ACA Marketplace as their health insurance premiums double or even triple, the U.S. Senate voted to begin the process of reopening the government—without the extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
314 Action endorsed candidates and Senators across the country blasted the “deal,” calling for Democrats to continue the fight for health care. As scientists and doctors, 314 Action’s candidates are deeply committed to protecting health care and lowering costs for Americans.
What they’re saying:
Dr. Annie Andrews, candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina
“This is not a deal, it’s a surrender.
Tomorrow morning I am going to wake up and deliver healthcare to hospitalized children, like I have for two decades. And when my shift ends I am going to get right back to fighting like hell to get elected to the Senate. Because those kids need more than a doctor, they need leaders who give a damn.”
Dr. Amy Acton, candidate for Ohio Governor
“This shutdown deal does nothing to help those in our state struggling with the cost of healthcare. Half a million Ohioans will face skyrocketing premiums because once again Washington politicians have made a mess. As governor, I will always fight to keep costs down, because no one should have to choose between getting care and paying their bills.”
Sara Rodriguez, candidate for Wisconsin Governor
“Tonight’s vote may have ended the shutdown — but it sent Wisconsin families the bill.
Senate Democrats had a choice: stand firm for working people or cave to political pressure. They chose wrong.”
Daniel Biss, candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District
“Throughout this shutdown, Democrats have shown that we have the backbone to actually fight for what we believe in: lower costs, accessible healthcare, and a Congress that can be a check on Trump’s chaos.
Vague Republican promises are not enough — no deal without real progress on healthcare.”
Senator Mark Kelly, Senator of Arizona
“I’m voting no. In the richest country in the world, families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and their health care. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done to Americans with this shutdown.
There should’ve never been a shutdown in the first place, and I worked to find a solution with Republicans and this administration. But Donald Trump has proven he doesn’t care about rising costs, skyrocketing health care premiums, or working families struggling to put food on the table. He has spent more time working on his ballroom than working to open the government. He sued to block food assistance for hungry families.
I’ve spent the last month hearing from Arizonans worried they can’t afford health care and families who were going broke and hungry because the government was shut down. That’s who I’m fighting for. But Donald Trump rejected a straightforward compromise that would have best served all Americans by reopening the government and keeping health care from becoming unaffordable and out of reach for millions, including thousands of Arizonans. If he’s ready to get serious on a solution to keep health care premiums from spiking, I’m ready to work, but everything he’s done suggests he just doesn’t care.”
Senator Alex Padilla, Senator of California
“This proposal does nothing to stop the Republican-made health care crisis.
It does nothing to stop premiums from doubling for millions of Americans.
Democrats are fighting to make health care more affordable and hold this corrupt and lawless administration accountable.
We can’t end this fight now. I will be voting no.”
Senator John Hickenlooper, Senator of Colorado
“Coloradans want lower costs and affordable health care. Today’s bills failed to address skyrocketing health care premiums caused by the Republican “Big Bad Bill”. So I voted NO.
Every Senate Democrat believes every American should have health care, but Republicans refused to come to the table and work to tackle the health care crisis.
We will continue to fight every day for universal health care until every American has coverage.”
Senator Chris Coons, Senator of Delaware
“The government has been shut down for 40 days—the longest in history. All Democrats have fought hard for extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits that make health care affordable for millions. I’m voting against the bill given it doesn’t extend these valuable tax credits.”
Senator Martin Heinrich, Senator of New Mexico
“We voted no today because this “deal” is one that many New Mexicans literally cannot afford — and we will keep working to rein in the affordability crisis that is hurting families in New Mexico and across the country.
We know without a doubt that – because of Democrats’ fight over the past several weeks – we have substantially moved our cause forward. Meanwhile, House Republicans refused to show up to work. Senate Republicans refused to negotiate. President Trump refused to feed hungry Americans. And they all refused to lower health care costs.
We cannot and will not accept their cruelty. That’s why we will keep fighting back against Donald Trump, the Republicans enabling him, and the affordability crisis he is inflicting on the American people.”
Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator of Wisconsin
“A wink and a nod to deal with this health care crisis later – with no actual guarantees – is just not enough for me or the Wisconsin families I work for.
I refuse to sign off on a deal that doesn’t lower working families’ health care costs.”
314 Action is the only national organization working to recruit, train and elect Democratic scientists across all levels of government—from the Senate down to local school boards. The organization is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people supporting scientists and health care professionals who will use science and facts to address the most urgent issues facing our generation.
