Dem Lawmaker Gil Cisneros on Government Shutdown: 'I Don't Trust Them' on Healthcare Talks

Government Shutdown Stalemate

• 🎯 The government shutdown has entered its seventh day, with both Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the impasse.
• 🗣️ Congressman Gil Cisneros states that President Trump's claims of ongoing negotiations are untrue, as Republicans have not reached out to Democrats.

Republican Proposal and Democratic Concerns

• 🏥 Republicans are accused of blaming Democrats for holding the government hostage over healthcare, despite passing a "clean CR" (Continuing Resolution).
• 💡 Cisneros argues that healthcare must be a central issue, citing overwhelming public support for fixing healthcare policies.
• 📉 Republicans have removed subsidies from the Affordable Care Act, which could double or triple healthcare costs for individuals.

Trust and Negotiation Tactics

• ⚠️ Cisneros expresses deep distrust in Republican promises to address healthcare after a CR is passed, referencing past instances like the DREAM Act.
• 🗓️ He believes Republicans want a series of short-term CRs, delaying substantive action until well into the next year.
• 🤝 Cisneros advocates for addressing healthcare now, rather than deferring negotiations, questioning why talks can't happen concurrently with opening the government.
• 🔄 Some Republicans, like Senator Josh Hawley, have expressed openness to Medicaid conversations, but Cisneros remains skeptical of the timing and sincerity.