As the government shutdown drags into its third week, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Sunday that a vote from Republican lawmakers to extend healthcare subsidies will not alone be enough to reopen the government, instead calling on the GOP to pledge to help fix the problem. During an interview with host Kristen Welker on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Kelly expressed his frustration with the current state of negotiations, stating that ‘We need a real negotiation and we need a fix.’ He reiterated the importance of addressing the crisis that affects millions of Americans who are facing the potential loss of their healthcare coverage. The senator pointed out that many people are in dire need of stability in their health insurance and that without a resolution, their situation could worsen significantly.
On Sunday, Kelly condemned the way the shutdown has become politicized, asserting that it is ‘not about winners and losers,’ but rather about addressing the critical issue of healthcare costs for Americans. He emphasized that the ongoing stalemate is fundamentally about bringing down the cost of health care for millions of people who rely on the Affordable Care Act. ‘In this situation, we’ve got 2 million Americans that are likely to lose their health, and if we don’t fix this, it’s going to go right over it,’ Kelly warned. His comments reflect the growing concern among Democrats that the shutdown is not only disrupting government operations but also threatening the well-being of countless citizens.
During a separate interview with CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ Kelly criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to the shutdown, suggesting that he is attempting to create a more partisan environment. Kelly argued that the focus should be on the individuals affected by the shutdown and the subsequent layoffs carried out by the Trump administration. ‘He is trying to politicize the federal government in a way, and he’s picking winners and losers,’ Kelly stated. He highlighted the struggles of everyday Americans who are dealing with financial stress, including mortgage payments and food costs. ‘We’ve never seen a president do anything like this before,’ he added, highlighting his growing frustration with the administration’s handling of the situation.
Kelly also expressed his concern over the administration’s decision to begin laying off employees from some agencies due to the ongoing shutdown. He argued that such actions are unnecessary and urged GOP leaders to engage in serious negotiations with Democrats. ‘They do not have to do this,’ Kelly said, emphasizing that the reason for the current situation is due to a lack of agreement on healthcare subsidies. The senator’s statements underscore the deepening divide between the political parties and the potential impact on everyday Americans.