Trump urges Republicans to end Obamacare
During the 38th day of the record-breaking federal shutdown, President Donald Trump intensified his long-standing political battle by urging Senate Republicans to end the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.
Using his Truth Social platform, Trump proposed a significant shift in how federal health funds are distributed. He argued that hundreds of billions of dollars should be taken from insurance companies and given directly to individuals.
His post stated that this money should “BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE.” He summarized his approach as, “Take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people.”
This push occurred as legislative negotiations in the Senate reached a standstill. Democrats were refusing to support a House bill to reopen the government because it did not address rising subsidies for Obamacare.
Conversely, Republicans rejected a proposal from Senator Chuck Schumer that would have temporarily extended these crucial subsidies.
Amid this political impasse, Trump also demanded that Senate Republicans “terminate the Filibuster,” a procedural rule that requires a 60-vote supermajority for most legislation, hoping to break the legislative logjam.
The prolonged shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, was causing increasing disruptions across the country, notably impacting air travel and federal food assistance programs for millions of Americans.
