REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 3: Senator Murray Calls Out Trump, Republicans’ Cruelty & Refusal to Get Serious About Reopening Government, Addressing Health Care Costs

Murray: "President Trump has made clear he doesn't see this shutdown as a problem to solve. He sees a shutdown as an opportunity to hurt people."

Murray: "The irony of Republicans telling us to wait on health care is as rich as the people they shoveled tax breaks on earlier this year. Because let's not forget: earlier this year, Republicans chose to spend a lot of time here and a lot of effort extending tax cuts for wealthy CEOs. Those tax cuts were set to expire at the end of the year, just like the ACA tax credits we're talking about now. What did Republicans do? Did they tell the billionaires to wait? No! Republicans moved heaven and earth to save the tax cuts for those billionaires. But now, they won't move a muscle to save families from skyrocketing health care costs."

Murray: "No one can believe Republican leadership is serious about ending this shutdown either, when Senate Republicans are holding the same vote over and over, while refusing to start serious negotiations. And by the way, House Republicans are not even here in town."

NEW THIS MORNING FROM KFF : 8 in 10 Americans Say Congress Should Extend the Enhanced ACA Tax Credits Set to Expire Next Year, Including 6 in 10 Republicans

KFF: ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire

WATCH: Senator Murray's floor speech

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of floor votes on Republicans' partisan continuing resolution and Democrats' bill to fund the government, address the health care crisis, and protect Congress' power of the purse. In her remarks, Senator Murray slams Republicans for choosing to shut the government down rather than negotiating with Democrats, and calls on them to finally join Democrats at the negotiating table to prevent American families' health care costs from skyrocketing. More information on the Democratic bill is available HERE.

Senator Murray's remarks, as delivered, are below:

"Thank you, Mr. President.

"We are three days into a government shutdown, and we are in the middle of a health care crisis entirely of Republicans' making.

"And a new poll, shows nearly 80 percent of Americans-that is four in five-want Republicans to work with us to stop their premiums from doubling.

"So what is the hold up?

"After all, as we speak, health plans are in the middle of locking in massive rate increases. Those notices will be in the mail any day now.

"These are two serious issues facing our country, and yet Trump and Republican leaders are refusing to take any of them seriously.

"On health care, Republicans have decided to shut down the government rather than work with us.

"And they have decided they would rather make up lies about illegal immigrants than talk about the actual issue at stake-the reality that Republicans are letting premiums more than double.

"Newsflash: Republican areas are actually going to face some of the biggest price jumps if they refuse to save health care.

"Small businesses are going to take a hit.

"Not to mention farmers, one quarter of our farmers are covered on the ACA exchanges, so this health care crisis is a big concern for them.

"Millions of families, across the country, are about to see their monthly health care costs jump by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

"And the Republicans plan seems to be: 'I hope no one notices.' That is out of touch.

"Maybe a couple thousand dollars here and there seems like no big deal when you take your marching orders from billionaires like Donald Trump.

"But if Republicans talk to everyday families, and fewer rich billionaires, they would understand: the health care crisis Republicans are ignoring is going to devastate folks back home.

"Millions of people are going to be priced out of their insurance. They will skip their basic health care. They will skimp on their medication. They will miss out on lifesaving treatments.

"It is no exaggeration to say: people will die.

"There is no avoiding that reality, though Republicans seem determined to try.

"And on the shutdown? Trump and Republican leadership are not taking this seriously.

"President Trump has made clear he doesn't see this shutdown as a problem to solve.

"He sees a shutdown as an opportunity to hurt people.

"He sees a shutdown as an opening to make good on even more of the awful promises of Project 2025.

"Trump sees a shutdown as an excuse to harm whoever he wants, and do whatever he wants, even-and maybe especially-if it hurts folks back home.

"The Trump Administration actually isn't even trying to hide the fact: they're targeting cuts to blue states, they're talking about canceling Democratic priorities, and they're threatening our constituents if we don't bend the knee.

"No one can believe President Trump is serious about ending this shutdown when he is more focused on tweeting out fake sombrero pictures, and showing Russ Vought as the Grim Reaper, than he is on working out a deal.

"No one can believe President Trump seriously cares whether he is hurting everyday Americans, when the only thing he is focused on is taking the opportunity to punish the American people with cruel cuts and cruel firings, which don't just hurt Democrats-they hurt his own voters as well.

"And, I should mention, no one can believe Republican leadership is serious about ending this shutdown either when Senate Republicans are holding the same vote over and over, while refusing to start serious negotiations. And by the way, House Republicans are not even here in town.

"And instead of talking about addressing health care, they are saying just "wait" and "later."

"Democrats have been waiting. We've been trying to save the health care tax credits for months.

"We cannot wait any longer. Later is too late.

"The irony of Republicans telling us to wait on health care is as rich as the people they shoveled tax breaks on earlier this year.

"Because let's not forget: earlier this year, Republicans choose to spend a lot of time here and a lot of effort extending tax cuts for wealthy CEOs. Those tax cuts were set to expire at the end of the year, just like the ACA tax credits we're talking about now. What did Republicans do? Did they tell the billionaires to wait? No!"

"Republicans moved heaven and earth to save the tax cuts for those billionaires. But now, they won't move a muscle to save families from skyrocketing health care costs. Republican leaders can't be bothered.

"When billionaires have a tax cut expiring at the end of the year, it is all hands on deck for Republican leadership, even if it means throwing working families overboard with a trillion dollars in health cuts families will need to cover out of their own pocket-or go without coverage.

"But when health care is on the brink, when health premiums are being locked in right now, right now, and when they are going to double for families, Republicans are nowhere to be found.

"And I mean that literally. House Republicans have not been here all week.

"They are missing in action.

"They should be rushing back to work on a solution.

"But Republican leaders seem to be moving in the opposite direction, forcing a vote on the same failed partisan bill, for the fourth time.

"Mr. President, we are at the table. We want to be here, we are ready to find a solution, we are ready to reopen the government, and we want to prevent families' costs from skyrocketing.

"I hope Republicans decide that they are ready to join us."

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