Statement on ACA Subsidy Extension: Absolutely Not, Open the Government Now

Nov 7, 2025 by AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to recent reports that Democrat Leadership is continuing to refuse to reopen the government without an expansion of the ACA – the same position they’ve held since the shutdown began.

AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner issued the following statement:

“Democrats have been begging Republicans to help them expand COVID-era ACA subsidies since the shutdown began. The response from Republicans today should be the same: absolutely not.

“These subsidies have nothing to do with the shutdown, they are entirely about creating political leverage. They won’t reduce premiums, but they will send billions to big insurance companies. Democrats know their only chance of passing this bad policy is during a crisis – so they created a crisis.

“It’s sadly clear that Senator Schumer wants to continue playing political games while millions of Americans suffer. We continue to urge other Democrat Senators to recognize the pain being felt as a result of this shutdown and reopen the government today.”