Rosa DeLauro Slams Shutdown Bill, Citing Healthcare Crisis and Broken Promises

Opposition to the Shutdown-Ending Bill

• ❌ Representative Rosa DeLauro opposes the current bill because it fails to address the Republican healthcare crisis.
• 💡 She states that the bill is an "empty promise" regarding healthcare cost subsidies and a vote on them.
• ⚠️ DeLauro highlights that the bill does nothing to mitigate the impending skyrocketing healthcare costs for over 20 million Americans.

Manufactured Cost of Living Crisis

• 📈 The speaker criticizes President Trump for manufacturing a cost of living crisis, with rising prices in energy, groceries, and housing.
• 💰 She points out the administration's refusal to release funds for food stamps during a shutdown, impacting those most in need.
• 💔 DeLauro shares the story of Renee Shalas, a constituent whose annual health insurance premiums are projected to increase by $24,000, illustrating the real-world impact.

Undermining the Affordable Care Act

• 🏥 The bill is seen as a path to destroying the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which Republicans have attempted to do for 15 years.
• 🎯 Over 24 million Americans rely on the ACA for health insurance, and this bill jeopardizes their coverage.

Senate's Unilateral Actions and House Marginalization

• 📜 DeLauro criticizes the Senate's unilateral actions, including secret language additions to bills without House awareness or consent.
• 🏛️ An example cited is the secret addition of a provision allowing senators who participated in the January 6th insurrection to sue the government, while excluding a plaque honoring police officers.
• 💰 The legislative branch bill reportedly includes a provision for up to a million-dollar payout to senators involved in the insurrection.

Funding for Veterans and Toxic Exposure

• 🚫 The military construction division of the bill excludes advanced funding for the toxic exposure fund, which aids victims of burn pits and Agent Orange.
• 🎖️ This exclusion impacts veterans seeking care, despite it being Veterans Day.
• 📉 The bill fails to meet funding levels previously supported by President Trump and his OMB director.

Congressional Power of the Purse

• ⚖️ The package fails to protect Congress's power of the purse, allowing for potential rescissions of appropriated funds.
• 🤝 Trust has been broken in the appropriations process, making it difficult for Democrats to support bipartisan funding proposals.
• 🚫 DeLauro urges colleagues to oppose the measure due to its failure to address the healthcare crisis and protect congressional authority.