Senate Leaders Thune and Schumer Discuss Government Shutdown and Healthcare

Tribute to Dick Cheney

• 🕊️ Senator John Thune began by paying tribute to the late former Vice President Dick Cheney, remembering him as a public servant and outdoorsman.
• 🙏 Thune offered his thoughts and prayers to Cheney's family.

Impact of the Government Shutdown

• 📉 Senator Thune highlighted the negative impacts of the ongoing government shutdown, now in its sixth week.
• 📰 He cited numerous headlines detailing the suffering of federal workers, small business owners, and disruptions to air travel.
• 🚫 Thune criticized Democrats for blocking a clean, nonpartisan funding bill, stating they are "injuring working people."
• 🤝 He urged for bipartisan support to pass a clean funding extension, requiring only five Democratic votes.

Democratic Healthcare Demands

• 🏥 Senator Chuck Schumer focused on healthcare during open enrollment, noting that health care costs are set to double for many Americans on ACA plans.
• 💸 He stated that the average American on an ACA plan will pay 114% more out-of-pocket, and 4 million Americans could lose insurance.
• 💰 Schumer criticized Republicans for voting down extensions of premium tax credits, which he argued disproportionately benefit red states.
• ✅ He emphasized the need for serious negotiations on healthcare and the extension of tax credits, calling it common sense.