Ro Khanna: Republicans Can End Shutdown, Protect Healthcare Costs

Government Shutdown Standoff

• 📌 The US government shutdown has entered its second week, with Republicans holding the majority in both the Senate and the House.
• ⚠️ A White House memo suggests furloughed workers may not automatically receive pay, despite a 2019 law, with President Trump reportedly stating some workers "don't deserve to be taken care of."
• ✈️ The Federal Aviation Administration has warned of staffing shortages at airports due to the shutdown, impacting air traffic controllers and security screeners.

Democratic Demands on Healthcare

• 🏥 Democratic lawmakers are demanding Republicans extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and reverse cuts to Medicaid.
• 📈 Republican Congressmember Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed disgust that ACA tax credits expiring this year would cause health insurance premiums to double for millions in 2026.
• 🤝 Ro Khanna states that Republicans could end the shutdown today if they ensure healthcare premiums do not double for ordinary Americans.

Legality and Political Maneuvering

• ⚖️ Khanna argues that Trump's threat to withhold pay from furloughed workers is an illegal layoff and a departure from historical precedent where essential workers and troops are always paid during a shutdown.
• 🏛️ He criticizes Speaker Johnson for not calling Congress into session, suggesting it's to avoid a vote on the release of the Epstein files, which would require swearing in a new member who would provide the 218th signature for a discharge petition.
• 🗳️ Khanna advocates for eliminating the filibuster, stating that a 51-vote majority should be sufficient to keep the government open.