In a fiery backlash, LGBTQ+ Democrats are condemning seven Senate Democrats who joined Republicans to reopen the government without extending key Affordable Care Act subsidies. Many call it a betrayal of working families, warning that it will raise healthcare premiums by thousands of dollars. Representative Robert Garcia called it “a surrender” and vowed to be “a HELL NO in the House.” Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) labeled the move “an unconditional surrender that abandons 24 million Americans.”
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) fought to save the subsidies until the last minute, saying Republicans “sent a clear, unmistakable message that they are okay with jacking up health care costs.” Out leaders across the country echoed the outrage. Pete Buttigieg called it a bad deal. Governor Maura Healey decried “total dysfunction down in Washington.” From California’s Scott Wiener to Pennsylvania’s Malcolm Kenyatta, LGBTQ+ Democrats urged resistance. Kenyatta said, “Giving in for a ‘pinky promise’ from Republicans makes no sense.”
