WASHINGTON – Twenty-two days into the government shutdown, California Rep. Kevin kiley spent an hour of his morning in Washington guiding a group of middle school students from Grass Valley through the empty corridors of the U.S. Capitol.
normally, one of his staff members woudl have led the tour. But the Capitol is closed to all tours during the shutdown, unless the elected member is present. So the schoolchildren from Lyman Gilmore Middle School ended up with Kiley,a Republican from Rocklin,as their personal tour guide.
“I would have visited with these kids anyway,” Kiley saeid in his office after the event. “But I actually got to go on the whole tour of the Capitol with them as well.”
Kiley’s impromptu tour is an example of how members of California’s congressional delegation are improvising their routines as the shutdown drags on and most of Washington remains at a standstill.
Some are in Washington in case negotiations resume, others are back at home in their districts meeting with federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay, giving interviews or visiting community health centers that rely on tax credits central to the budget negotiations. One member attended the groundbreaking of a flood control project in their district. Others are traveling back and forth.
“I’ve had to fly back to Washington for caucus meetings, while the opposition, the Republicans, don’t even convene and meet,” Rep. Maxine waters, a longtime los Angeles democrat, said in an interview. “We will meet anytime, anyplace, anywhere, with [House Speaker Mike] Johnson, with the president, with the Senate, to do everything that we can to open up the government. We are absolutely unified on that.”
The shutdown is being felt across California, which has the most federal workers outside the District of Columbia. Food assistance benefits for millions of low-income Californians could soon be delayed. And millions of Californians could see their healthcare premiums rise sharply if Affordable Care Act subsidies are allowed to expire.
For the California delegation, the fallout at home has become unachievable to ignore. Yet the shutdown is in its fourth week with no end in sight.
In the house, Johnson has refused to call members back into session and prevented them from doing legislative work. Many California lawmakers – including Kiley, one of the few GOP lawmakers to openly criticize him – have been dismayed by the deadlock.”I have certainly emphasized the point that the House needs to be in session,and that canceling a month’s worth of session is not a good thing for the House or the country,” Kiley said,noting that he had privately met with Johnson.
Kiley, who represented parts of the Sacramento suburbs and Lake Tahoe, is facing political uncertainty as California voters weigh whether to approve proposition 50 on Nov. 4. The measure would redraw the state’s con
Quiet Halls and Borrowing Options: How the Government Shutdown is Impacting California’s Congressional Offices
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WASHINGTON – The government shutdown is settling in on Capitol Hill, bringing with it a sense of unease and disruption to the daily routines of California’s congressional delegation and their staff. While lawmakers remain locked in a stalemate over border security funding, the effects are rippling through the offices that serve the state’s 52 congressional districts.
Hundreds of congressional staffers – many of whom are young and live paycheck to paycheck – are expected to miss their first paycheck. Some have been quietly told to consider borrowing money from the U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union, which is offering a “government shutdown relief loan program” that includes a no-interest loan of up to $5,000 to be repaid in full after 90 days.
The mundane has also been disrupted. Some of the cafeterias and coffee carts that are usually open to staffers are closed. The lines to enter office buildings are long because fewer entrances are open.
The hallways leading to the offices of California’s elected officials are quiet, except for the faint sound of occasional elevator dings.Many of their doors are adorned with signs that show who they blame for the government shutdown.
“Trump and Republicans shut down the government,” reads a sign posted on the door that leads into Rep. Norma Torres’ (D-Pomona) office. “Our office is OPEN – WORKING for the American people.”
Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat from Torrance, posted a similar sign outside his office.
Government Shutdown Stalls as Healthcare Funding Becomes Key Sticking Point
The ongoing government shutdown is increasingly tied to the fate of Affordable care act (ACA) healthcare subsidies, with Democrats and a few Republicans voicing strong opposition to allowing these credits to expire. The dispute highlights the political complexities of keeping the government funded while also addressing critical healthcare access issues,particularly in high-cost states like California.
Shutdown’s Impact on Healthcare Subsidies
The current impasse centers on temporary funding extensions for ACA subsidies that help millions of americans afford health insurance. These subsidies, initially expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, are set to expire, potentially leading to significant premium increases for those who purchase health insurance through the ACA marketplaces. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/the-future-of-the-enhanced-aca-premium-tax-credits/
Republicans,led by House Speaker mike Johnson,have been seeking spending cuts as a condition for reopening the government. Democrats accuse them of using the shutdown as leverage for political gains, specifically targeting healthcare access.
California Representatives Weigh In
Several California representatives have been vocal about the importance of maintaining healthcare funding.
* Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA): Kiley stands out as one of the few Republicans willing to negotiate with Democrats on healthcare. He acknowledges “a lot of room to negotiate” given concerns from both parties about potential premium hikes. He emphasized the impact on California residents, stating, “if people see a massive increase in their premiums… that’s not a good thing, especially in California, where the cost of living is already so high.”
* Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA): As chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Garcia has been a leading advocate for preserving the healthcare credits. He recently visited a healthcare centre in San Bernardino County serving seniors with disabilities, warning that cuts would be “devastating” and could force the center to close. https://robertgarcia.house.gov/
* rep.Laura Friedman (D-CA): Friedman has taken a firm stance, declaring she will not vote to reopen the government without a deal to protect healthcare funding. “I will not support a shutdown deal that strips healthcare from tens of thousands of my constituents,” she stated.
Democratic Resolve
Democrats appear unified in their opposition to a government reopening that doesn’t address the healthcare subsidies. The party is digging in its heels, with representatives like Friedman publicly refusing to compromise on this issue. This unified front adds pressure on Republicans to find a solution that addresses both funding concerns and healthcare access.
What are the ACA Subsidies?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides subsidies in two main forms to help eligible individuals and families afford health insurance:
* Premium tax Credits: These reduce the monthly cost of health insurance premiums purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The amount of the credit is based on income and family size.
* cost-Sharing Reductions: These lower out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments, for eligible individuals enrolled in Silver plans through the Marketplace.
These subsidies have been instrumental in expanding health insurance coverage and making healthcare more affordable for millions of Americans. https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/
Key Takeaways
* The government shutdown is now heavily linked to the future of ACA healthcare subsidies.
* democrats are largely unified in their demand for continued funding of these subsidies.
* A few Republicans,like Rep. Kiley, are open to negotiation on healthcare.
* The potential expiration of subsidies could lead to significant premium increases, particularly in states with high costs of living like California.
* The outcome of the negotiations will have a direct impact on healthcare access for millions of Americans.
Looking Ahead
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a compromise can be reached. The pressure is mounting on both sides to find a solution that avoids a prolonged shutdown and protects access to affordable healthcare. The fate of the ACA subsidies,and the health coverage of millions,hangs in the balance.
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