1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent vote to advance a deal to reopen the federal government without securing an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. This decision, supported by eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, fails to prioritize the healthcare needs of millions of Americans. As a constituent, I urge you to take a firm stance against reopening the government unless these crucial healthcare subsidies are extended. The potential lapse of ACA tax credits poses a significant threat to healthcare accessibility and affordability for countless families. While I understand the desire to end the government shutdown, we must not sacrifice long-term healthcare stability for short-term political expediency. Senator Dick Durbin, as a senior member of the Democratic leadership and our representative from Illinois, you have a unique position of influence in these negotiations. Your voice carries weight, and I implore you to use it to champion the extension of these vital healthcare subsidies. Your commitment to healthcare access has been evident throughout your career, and now is the time to reaffirm that commitment. It's worth noting that some of your colleagues, including Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, have been involved in negotiating a deal for a vote on extending these tax credits. This demonstrates that there is room for discussion and potential agreement on this critical issue. We need more legislators, especially those in leadership positions like yourself, to prioritize this negotiation. The impact of allowing these credits to expire would be devastating. Millions of Americans, including many here in Illinois, rely on these subsidies to afford their health insurance. Without them, we risk seeing a spike in uninsured rates and a public health crisis that could far outweigh the temporary difficulties of a government shutdown. Senator Durbin, I urge you to stand firm with your colleagues who recognize the importance of these healthcare subsidies. Use your influential position to ensure that any deal to reopen the government includes a concrete plan to extend the ACA tax credits. The health of our nation, and specifically your constituents in Illinois, depends on your commitment to this cause. Please do not vote to reopen the government unless these critical healthcare subsidies are secured.