Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and he did just that on Friday when he slammed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) leadership during the recent government shutdown. Moulton’s criticism comes after the shutdown ended with no compromise on the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies.
In an interview with Politico’s “The Conversation” podcast with Dasha Burns, Moulton did not hold back in expressing his disappointment with Schumer’s leadership during this crucial moment. “He quit right when we actually looked like we might be making some progress,” Moulton said, referring to Schumer’s decision to end the shutdown without securing a deal on the ACA subsidies.
Moulton, who has been a vocal advocate for health care reform, expressed his frustration with the lack of action and compromise on the part of the Democratic leadership. “We had a lot of leverage, and we didn’t use it,” he said. “We didn’t put up a fight.”
The government shutdown, which began on January 20, was a result of the Democrats’ refusal to vote on a spending bill that did not include protections for DACA recipients and a resolution for the expiring ACA subsidies. However, after three days of the shutdown, Schumer agreed to end it without any guarantee of addressing these issues.
Moulton believes that this was a major missed opportunity for Democrats to fight for their principles and show their commitment to protecting Americans’ health care. “When you have the leverage, you use it. And we didn’t use it,” he said.
The ACA subsidies in question are crucial for millions of Americans who rely on them to afford health insurance. Without these subsidies, many individuals and families would face a significant financial burden and may even lose their health coverage altogether. Moulton’s frustration with the lack of action on this issue is understandable, especially considering his own efforts to improve and expand access to health care.
Moulton has been a leading voice in the fight for affordable and accessible health care, and he has continuously advocated for policies that would improve the ACA and ensure that all Americans have access to quality health coverage. His disappointment with Schumer’s leadership is a reflection of his dedication to this important cause and his commitment to fighting for the American people.
In his interview, Moulton also expressed concern about the impact of the shutdown on the American people and the trust in the government. “It’s a sad day when the government shuts down. It’s a sad day when we don’t live up to our responsibilities,” he said. “And it’s a sad day when people lose faith in their government.”
Moulton’s criticism of Schumer’s leadership may be seen by some as a division within the Democratic party, but it is important to note that Moulton’s goal is not to create division, but to hold his party accountable and ensure they are fighting for the issues that matter to the American people. As he stated in the interview, “I love my party. I love my country. I just want to see us do the right thing.”
Despite his disappointment with the outcome of the shutdown, Moulton remains optimistic and determined to continue fighting for the issues he believes in. He urged his fellow Democrats to learn from this experience and not back down in future negotiations. “We need to fight harder,” he said. “We need to stand up for our values.”
In the end, Moulton’s criticism of Schumer’s leadership serves as a reminder to all politicians that it is their duty to fight for the American people and not give up when the going gets tough. As the government works to find a long-term solution for the expiring ACA subsidies, let us hope that our leaders will put aside their differences and work together to find a solution that benefits all Americans.
