U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting a bipartisan bill that would temporarily reopen the federal government. The current shutdown has reached its tenth day, affecting various federal services and employees.
Hyde-Smith stated that instead of supporting a temporary continuing resolution to fund government agencies through November 21, Democrats have proposed an alternative measure. Their proposal would repeal health savings from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and make permanent certain COVID-era Obamacare subsidies, which she claims would increase the national debt by about $1.5 trillion.
In her remarks, Hyde-Smith said: “Democrats claim the government shutdown is about the rising cost of health insurance, but who is really to blame here? Obamacare was supposed to make health insurance more affordable. Instead, costs have skyrocketed since it passed. Republicans warned this would happen, and now Americans are paying the price for a law that isn’t living up to its promises.
“Now, instead of working together to address the issue or passing a clean, straightforward continuing resolution that maintains funding levels that were passed under the Biden administration, Democrats have chosen to keep the federal government shut down. That means no pay for our military, no support for TSA agents, and vital government services grinding to a halt.
“We should be focused on getting the government funded so we can return to regular order, the way Congress is supposed to work. That means going through the full appropriations process, debating bills, and passing a budget that actually reflects the needs of Americans today.
“Don’t forget that when Senator Schumer had the chance to lead, he didn’t bring a single Appropriations Committee-passed bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Not one. That tells us how low a priority responsible budgeting is for him. And that is sad because in the end, it’s the American people who suffer.
“The Democrats also continue to be wrong on other key issues. Just look at allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports, refusing to work with President Trump to make our cities safer, and now prolonging a shutdown that hurts working Americans.
“Again and again, they reject common-sense solutions in favor of political games.
“It’s past the time to pass the clean CR and get back to the serious work ahead of us, including how to help American workers avoid these skyrocketing Obamacare insurance premiums.”
The disagreement between parties over funding measures has left many federal employees without pay and suspended several government services as negotiations continue.
