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Sens. Peters and Slotkin
Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters voted Sunday against ending the government shutdown. Their opposition, however, wasn't enough to stop the vote from going through, 60-40, with eight senators who caucus with Democrats voting to help its passage.
"I have repeatedly said I can't get behind a deal that doesn't take immediate action to prevent Michiganders' health care costs from skyrocketing more than they already have," Peters said in a statement. "But Republicans have made it clear they won't even lift a finger to address rising health care costs in this country."
"I’m frustrated that this deal doesn’t take action on health care. But I’m relieved that it will not only protect but increase resources for desperately needed food assistance, especially now that President Trump has shown he is comfortable both denying people affordable health care and letting children go hungry in order to get what he wants."
It must now pass the House and be signed by President Donald Trump.
The compromise includes three full-year funding measures with a stopgap funding bill that would reopen the government through Jan. 30.
The bill, however, would not extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expire by year's end. Democrats insist it will cause health insurance premiums to skyrocket for millions of Americans and force some to go without coverage.
As a compromise, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune vowed to hold a separate vote on legislation to extend the subsidies by the second week of December. Democrats, including Slotkin, who oppose ending the shutdown, say they're skeptical of the offer.
"Tonight, I am voting no on a procedural vote on an appropriations deal that would re-open the government," Slotkin said in a statement. "Since July, I have been clear: to earn my vote, Republicans would have to do something to bring down the cost of health care for working and middle-class Michiganders. The promise of a vote in over a month does not meet that threshold."
The Michigan Democratic Party applauded the senators' vote, saying:
“Michigan Democrats are proud of Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin for voting no on a deal that does nothing to lower the cost of health care for working families across Michigan. For weeks, Republicans have been playing politics with people’s lives and refuse to do anything about a health care crisis that is hurting countless Michiganders. While a handful of Democrats caved and should be embarrassed, let’s be clear, every Republican member has stood in lockstep to raise the price of health care and used food as a weapon to pass tax cuts for the richest Americans."
