“Americans expect their government to work for them”
An OPINION by Aaron Gies, AaronForNY23.com
The reopening of the federal government today after 43 days will provide desperately-needed relief to the one in eight Americans who receive SNAP benefits, to federal workers who have been furloughed at a time when 57% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and to essential workers like Air Traffic Controllers, who have been working without pay. In NY 23 and across the country, Americans expect their government to work for them, and they are right to ask the question, “why did this happen?”
The so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” the budget measure passed into law by President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress on July 4th, included cuts to ACA subsidies that experts predict could lead to up to 17 million Americans losing their health insurance, and millions more seeing their premiums skyrocket. These cuts were made to partially offset tax giveaways to the wealthy and corporations. In NY 23, they could lead to the closure of up to eight of our hospitals, along with many of the clinics and nursing facilities that are part of their networks.
Like most Americans, Congressional Democrats regard this outcome as totally unacceptable, and for 43 days, they refused to cooperate unless the ACA subsidies were restored. During the shutdown, the Administration fought tooth and nail against court orders to fund SNAP with contingency funds. President Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House to build a lavish ballroom and threw over-the-top parties at his private beach club, selling access to the President to the richest of the rich. Rather than negotiate to save Americans’ healthcare, the President and Congressional Republicans like Nick Langworthy sought to maximize the suffering of everyday Americans.
Republican cuts to healthcare spending are cruel. They do not address our out-of-control spending, which can only be fixed by reversing our priorities: we must invest in our neglected working class and again require the wealthiest to pay their fair share. The eight senate Democrats and Independents who broke ranks are not guiltless, but they did not create this budget. Mr. Langworthy, who spoke in “enthusiastic support” for it, must explain how his vote to dismantle our healthcare system without any alternative plan represents “common sense conservatism.”
