by
U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens (l), Rashida Tlaib (top), Kristen McDonald Rivet
Some Michigan Democratic members of Congress spoke out Wednesday night, explaining why they voted against the GOP spending package to reopen the government. The measure passed 222–209, with six House Democrats voting with Republicans. None were from Michigan.
All seven Michigan Republicans voted Yes.
Here's some statements:
Rep. Haley Stevens:
“Tonight, I voted no on the Republicans’ spending bill because their plan fails Michiganders, ignores working families, and offers lip service instead of actually lowering costs for our families.
“Republicans have time and time again voted to raise health care costs and threatened health care coverage for families who depend on it. I won’t rubber-stamp a plan that leaves Michiganders worse off. I will keep fighting to lower costs, expand affordable health care, and create jobs while investing in our manufacturing economy to support the hard-working families across our state.”
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet:
“High costs are crushing families in my community, and Republicans are forcing a health care affordability crisis on working people. Because they cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and are gutting the ACA, insurance premiums are spiraling out of control and people can’t get basic care.
“We urgently need a bipartisan budget that addresses the real needs of the people I represent. This bill fails. I voted no because we need concrete solutions to deliver affordable health care, not empty promises.”
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib:
“Trump and Republicans made the largest cut to Medicaid in history and are kicking 17 million Americans off their health care. Premiums will double for an additional 20 million Americans under this so-called deal. Tens of thousands of people will die unnecessarily every year because of these extreme Medicaid cuts and skyrocketing health care costs. Our for-profit health care system is already broken, and instead of holding the line and fighting for health care as a human right, enough Democrats chose to roll over and make this affordability crisis worse.
“The American people want us to fight back, not cave to Donald Trump for absolutely nothing in return. An empty promise on a doomed standalone vote in the Senate on ACA subsidies isn’t fooling anyone. It’s a worthless stunt that has no chance of being signed into law—if it’s even taken up. Working people are already struggling and now an increase in premiums will make life worse for our families.”
Out of 13 Michigan Congress members, six are Democrats and seven are Republicans.
Republican Congressman John James issued this statement after voting Yes.
"Republicans ended the shutdown. Nobody wins when troops go unpaid and Americans suffer. It was 100% avoidable."
"I voted with Republicans to keep government open from Day 1. Democrats voted 14 times to keep it shut, while the media lied for them. My team and I worked unpaid and delivered $20M for Selfridge plus $63.7k back to Michigan families. The D.C. Dysfunction must end."
