Democrats Block Funding Over ACA Premium Tax Credits

Senate and House Democratic leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, blocked a GOP stopgap funding bill, precipitating the 2025 federal government shutdown to force extension of expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that Democrats say would otherwise sharply raise premiums for millions. Democrats frame the move as necessary to protect health-care subsidies, with lawmakers such as Rep. Adam Schiff warning there is little to mitigate premium spikes without Republican cooperation. Public opinion is divided and Democrats face acute political risk at home amid historically low approval ratings, prompting internal debate over whether to concede or hold firm. The Trump White House and Republican allies have embraced the leverage from the shutdown and begun punitive measures — including pausing federal project funding and threatening firings — while framing the standoff as an opportunity to force concessions. Federal workers and services remain imperiled as both sides weigh short-term pain against potential long-term policy and political gains.