The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Although polls showed voters initially blamed Trump and the GOP-led Congress for the shutdown, that percentage had decreased. Pain in the heartland was real. The White House had adopted a policy of mass starvation, despite negative court rulings. Would the conservative Supreme Court have sustained Trump? Moreover, since Trump refused to use federal funds set aside to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits, what would be next? Was Medicaid funding on Trump’s hit list?
There are honorable Democratic senators on both sides of ending the shutdown. Yes, I’m upset Trump and congressional Republicans refused to negotiate with Democratic congressional leaders to extend expiring (December 31) enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Millions, including tens of thousands of Wisconsinites, won’t be able to afford ACA or any private insurance. Many will lose coverage; tax breaks for the rich, but no healthcare tax credits for regular folks. Half of adults covered by ACA private insurance are farmers-ranchers, self-employed and small business owners and their employees.
However, Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin is exemplary. Before the shutdown ended she forced a Senate vote on extending the ACA tax credits. All 47 Senate Democrats voted yes, all 53 Senate Republicans, including Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson, voted no. Baldwin is no latecomer to this fight. Long before the shutdown Baldwin had introduced legislation to make the expiring ACA tax credits permanent. Among the cosponsors were multiple Democratic senators who later voted to end the shutdown. Honor on both sides. Moreover, the agreement for ending the shutdown includes GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s commitment to a December vote on extending the enhanced ACA tax credits.
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With Trump’s problems, low polling numbers and the slow release of some Epstein emails and perhaps more to come, it’s time to get out of the way. Politico reported: “Latest Epstein files knock White House on its heels.” However, some House Democrats want to form a circular firing squad aimed at Senate Democrats who voted to end the shutdown. Case in point: Wisconsin Democratic Representative Mark Pocan tweeted four letter word insults on ending the shutdown and against Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, despite Schumer’s voting to not end the shutdown. Pocan must stop gratuitous tweeting, it’s not helpful.
However, Trump and congressional Republicans remain vulnerable on the affordability of healthcare coverage. Polling from GOP pollsters and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) make that clear. The KFF said 74 percent of Americans support extending the ACA tax credits, including 50 percent of Republicans. “More than two dozen Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed support for some form of extension” (Modern Healthcare). Now is the time to stop recriminations and organize for the December Senate vote and force a House vote through a discharge petition (if a majority signs there will be a vote, only a few Republicans are needed to sign).
On Election Day, voters took a big step toward a Democratic wave in 2026. Democratic unity is essential to winning a Democratic-led Congress. No circular firing squad needed.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
