1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Senator Durbin, I urge you to vote against the proposed bipartisan deal to end the federal government shutdown. This agreement, while addressing some important issues, falls dangerously short on protecting our healthcare system. The deal negotiated by Senators King, Shaheen, Hassan, and their GOP counterparts may seem appealing on the surface. It would fund the government through January 30 and set a vote on the Affordable Care Act bill in December. However, these are merely promises, not guarantees. We've seen how easily such commitments can be broken in Washington. Our healthcare is too important to be left to chance. The current proposal does not include an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, a critical component for millions of Americans who rely on these subsidies to access healthcare. House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have rightly opposed any legislation that doesn't safeguard these vital tax credits. While the deal addresses other important issues like reversing federal employee firings and funding food stamps through 2026, it fails to prioritize the immediate healthcare needs of your constituents. Rep. Ritchie Torres and others have voiced concerns that this deal doesn't go far enough on healthcare, and I share their apprehension. I understand the pressure to end the government shutdown, but we cannot sacrifice long-term healthcare stability for short-term political expediency. A vote in December on ACA-related issues is not sufficient. We need concrete, immediate action to protect and extend the enhanced ACA tax credits. Senator, I implore you to stand firm and demand real, tangible protections for our healthcare system. Vote no on this deal and push for a resolution that includes ironclad guarantees for the extension of ACA tax credits. Your constituents' health and financial security depend on your commitment to this crucial issue. Don't let empty promises jeopardize the healthcare of millions of Americans.