WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted a Republican-backed continuing resolution Tuesday, calling it a partisan bill that ignores the nation’s growing health care crisis.
“The Republican C.R. was the wrong option a week ago. It remains the wrong option now,” Schumer said before a Senate vote. He criticized the bill for failing to address skyrocketing insurance premiums and looming coverage losses.
According to Schumer, tens of millions of Americans are receiving letters notifying them of massive rate hikes — averaging 114%. “For working-class families, this is devastating,” he said. “Republicans want to do nothing.”
He warned that 4 million people are at risk of losing their health coverage. Another 24 million are expected to face higher costs. Even those without Affordable Care Act plans will see increases, as insurers attempt to recoup losses caused by GOP-led funding cuts.
“This is a crisis,” Schumer said bluntly.
He also pushed back on claims that Democrats would bear the political blame for a potential government shutdown, calling a cited poll biased. “There are many more polls showing Republicans are blamed,” he said.
The Senate vote on the Republican resolution is expected within hours. The Senate returns facing a midnight deadline to fund the government and avert a shutdown.
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Ten years of experience reporting. From car chases and courtroom verdicts to House fires, Holsford thrives during breaking news and finds it a privilege to help drive the conversation in Rockland County and the Greater New York Area. Born in San Bernardino, Thomas is a New York boy at heart. He received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, specializing in political science and sociology, from the University of Illinois
