Washington D.C — Today marks one month since Republicans in Congress caused a government shutdown over their refusal to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for millions of Americans. Now, vital programs such as SNAP, WIC, and Head Start are in jeopardy, and with today being the first day of Open Enrollment, millions of Americans will begin to see that their monthly premiums will dramatically increase in 2026. It is beyond past time for Republicans in Congress to come to the table, permanently extend cost-saving health care tax credits, and end the government shutdown. People’s livelihoods depend on it.
“From 40 million people losing SNAP benefits, to cuts to Head Start, to higher monthly health insurance premiums for millions of Americans, Republicans’ refusal to act is wreaking havoc on working families nationwide,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “With Open Enrollment beginning, Republicans need to come to the table to end this disastrous shutdown and help millions of Americans keep their health coverage. Lives depend on it.”
“As a small business owner and mother in Des Moines, I know firsthand how critical the Affordable Care Act tax credits are for families like mine,” said Jessica Trinidad, an Iowa mother and small business owner who uses the ACA marketplace. “For the past six years, these tax credits have allowed me to afford quality health insurance on the open market — coverage that protects my family’s health and gives me peace of mind as I run my business. Without them, our premiums would skyrocket, forcing us to choose between paying for coverage or other basic necessities.”
“By blocking a permanent extension of health care tax credits that allow me and millions of others to access health care, Republicans in Congress are choosing to play politics with our lives,” said Jill Murphy of Macomb County, MI. “For me, these tax credits are the difference between being able to go to the doctor or skipping care altogether. Instead of shutting down the government and driving up health care costs, Republicans in Congress should do their jobs: end this shutdown and permanently extend the ACA tax credits so Michiganders like me can afford the care we need.”
“If Republicans in Congress don’t come to the table soon to save Americans’ health care and end the government shutdown, millions of children from every race, ethnic background, age, gender, and sexual orientation will wake up today and go to bed hungry,” said Ebony Manuel, a mental health expert and social worker from Macomb County, MI. “We need politicians in Washington to come together, put their egos aside, and help the people and communities they represent.”
“Programs like SNAP helped me and my family put food on the table when times were tough, but now, this Republican-led government shutdown is putting this lifeline at risk for millions of families like mine,” said Cale Johnson, an Omaha, NE resident and current college student. “Millions of Americans depend on SNAP, yet Republicans in Congress have chosen to keep the government closed instead of helping families afford groceries and health care. Enough is enough. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to reopen the government, protect SNAP, and make health care and food affordable again.”
“On November 1, over 40 million people could lose their SNAP benefits due to this government shutdown. The impact of that loss will ripple through every community, whether or not you personally receive assistance,” said Zakariyah Hill, Executive Director of the Supply Hive, an Iowa nonprofit that provides food assistance to the local community. “I urge everyone to reach out to their members of Congress and tell them to end the government shutdown and save SNAP funding.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit UnrigOurEconomy.com or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.