WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans’ government shutdown barrels toward two weeks – with some members openly admitting that American families’ health care premiums will double, triple, or even quadruple if Republicans don’t act – Trump himself is saying the quiet part out loud. In a cabinet meeting today, Trump relished the idea of using his shutdown to cut “some very popular Democrat programs” because “that’s the way it works.”
In response, Defend America Action Senior Spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite released the following statement:
“Instead of listening to the overwhelming majority of Americans that want to strengthen our health care system, Republicans took a sledgehammer to Americans’ coverage with their Big, Ugly Bill. Now, they’re saying the quiet part out loud and admitting they’re shutting down the government so they can end the Affordable Care Act’s tax relief that helps families across the country – like Marjorie Taylor Greene’s – afford their care, all to pay for tax handouts for the ultra-wealthy. The American people see what Donald Trump is doing to ‘some very popular’ programs, and they’re not amused. Almost three-quarters of the country, including a majority of Trump supporters, want those life-saving tax credits preserved. But Trump and MAGA Mike Johnson are putting them on the chopping block anyway because to them, billionaires will always come first – and ‘that’s the way it works.’”
Background:
- Voters blame Trump and Congressional Republicans for shutting the government down by a 17-point margin, including half of independents. (Washington Post)
- 72% of voters in competitive districts support extending the ACA tax credits, including 55% of Trump supporters and 67% of swing voters. (Trump Pollster Tony Fabrizio)
- 71% of U.S. adults don’t want Republicans to end ACA subsidies. (Washington Post)
- Americans say Trump and Republicans are at fault for a government shutdown by a 13-point margin. (Morning Consult)
- 59% of voters would blame Trump or congressional Republicans for a government shutdown. (Data for Progress)
- 52% disapprove of how Trump and Republicans are handling their shutdown. (CBS News)
- 50% of voters say the shutdown blame would belong to Trump and Republicans. (Rasmussen)
- Voters lay the blame for a government shutdown with Trump and Republicans by a 12-point margin. (YouGov)
- A poll taken in late September found that Americans would blame Republicans for a government shutdown by an 11-point margin. (Marist/PBS News/NPR)
- Voters say Trump and Republicans are responsible for a shutdown by a 10-point margin. (Strength in Numbers/Verasight)
- The American people blame Trump and Republicans for their shutdown by a 7-point margin. (New York Times/Siena)
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