Statement from Tim Kaine on his vote last night.

[Sogo]

Friends,

Last night I voted for a deal to reopen the government, and I want you to hear directly from me about why.

I said from the start that to earn my vote, we needed to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess, and we needed to protect the federal workforce.

I voted “no” with my Democratic colleagues for 40 days because the GOP didn’t put anything on the table I could in good conscience vote “yes” on.

But over those 40 days, 2 million federal employees — and more than 300,000 in Virginia — were suffering. They missed two paychecks, with another around the corner. These workers, along with the millions of federal contractors who have been going without pay, have families that depend on them.

Beyond the pain of missing paychecks, hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers were wondering if they were next in line to be fired by Trump.

Tens of millions of SNAP recipients were going without benefits they rely on to put food on the table.

Air traffic was suffering nationwide — with real safety dangers.

And after 40 days, there was still no path to an Affordable Care Act vote. Republicans would not even debate an ACA fix until the government reopened — period.

So we negotiated for what we could get.

Last night’s vote paved the way to reopen the government with robust full-year funding for SNAP, WIC, and other important safety net services — because we just can’t let people go hungry.

All furloughed workers will return to work with backpay — so people can pay their mortgages, rent, and heating bills.

All the federal workers who Trump baselessly fired will be reinstated — and no federal agencies will be allowed to conduct mass layoffs for the duration of this funding bill.

Since Trump’s second term began, our federal workers have been constantly trashed. Tormented. Illegally fired. This deal is a big win for them.

Finally, last night’s vote gave us a path for an ACA fix to stop a devastating rise in premiums — something Republicans weren’t even willing to consider before last night. It’s not a guarantee, but I believe we can win this critical ACA battle if we fight for it together. We won’t win it if we turn to in-fighting.

And at a bare minimum, this fight will show the American people with complete clarity who is standing with them to make health care affordable, and who isn’t. That’s the real fight we need to focus on in 2026.

As we move forward, I will keep working toward a long-term government spending plan that supports Virginians and all Americans.

Thanks for reading.



—Tim Kaine

[jonstl08]

1. A fool

Trump and the GOP have proven they cannot be trusted to keep their word.

[edisdead]

61. how was the shutdown going to change that?

[Celerity]

62. Kaine also had the jacobs to call it (today on MSNBC) no big deal, a minor event. THAT is true arrogance on parade.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

104. And he was picked to be VP in 2016!!

[cachukis]

106. Jacobs, harpy. You are on it.

[yourout]

102. But a well paid one I'm sure.

[dem4decades]

2. I guess Tim thinks that Trump won't layoff more workers and will allow a fix for the ACA.

Even a old nobody like me knows that this won't stop Trump, he's gained more power with this vote and will do more damage to the federal workforce and will work to kill the ACA completely now that he's more emboldened.

[Raven123]

3. "the duration of this funding bill." --- Jan 30, 2026, I believe.

[newdeal2]

5. Trump doesn't mind

He is going to be on an extended holiday and when he returns he can trash the place.

[IbogaProject]

72. SNAP and WIC are through Sept 30th.

And maybe the federal firing freeze might be that long too. Those are the only new terms beyond the rest being kicked to Jan 30th that changed from the origional GOP "offer".

[InstantGratification]

108. For the CR portion of this bill, yes

Some of the government services are funded through the full fiscal year. Snap, WIC and others, so they won't be on the chopping block in Jan. I AM NOT HAPPY with how this played out, but to say we got nothing and they got everything is wrong.

[lapucelle]

124. The deal fully funds SNAP and the VA for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

Senate Democrats have been trying to bring those bills to the floor for a vote for months. This week those bills will pass and Trump will be forced to sign them.

Equally important, Trump and Johnson can no longer use the potential suffering of hungry kids and veterans as a bargaining chip in the next budget go-around in January.

[Squaredeal]

4. You are now partially responsible for Americans' health cost increases.

Almost 25 million can expect to see their health insurance premiums increase on an average of 27% next year thanks to you.

[Wiz Imp]

65. Talk about twisted logic. Those premiums were going to increase even if the shutdown

lasted through the entirety of 2026. Republicans were NEVER going to restore those subsidies. Amazing how so called Democrats here are willing to blame Democrats for Republicans refusal to restore ACA subsidies. It is however impressive that so many people can convince themselves that trashing the people on their side is the best way to achieve the outcomes the want.

[OMGWTF]

88. Thank you! Put the blame where it should go -- on the Rethuglicans who want us sick, stupid, and starving.

[Johnny2X2X]

122. So why wait 40 days?

If there was never a hope, why go through this at all?

[lapucelle]

127. To pass the two bills that fully fund SNAP and the VA until September 30, 2026.

Two bills that Senate Democrats have been trying to bring to the floor for a vote for months are part of the package.

Last night those bills passed the Senate. Later this week, they will pass the House, and Trump will be forced to sign them into law.

And in January, Trump and Johnson will no longer have hungry kids and veterans to use as a bargaining chip in the next go-around.

[TheProle]

6. I appreciate his transparency

[Demsrule86]

19. I appreciate nothing. If he isn't willing to stand up

for us, he needs to go… primary everyone of them. The trust is gone.

[TheProle]

20. You're certainly entitled to your disagreement.

[Demsrule86]

40. I will work to primary them. I always vote Democratic.

I feel betrayed.

[TheProle]

54. Understood and respected.

[BannonsLiver]

36. So do I, albeit for different reasons.

[Cha]

7. TY Sogo..

[pinkstarburst]

8. FU, Tim

[NewHendoLib]

9. So naive.

[QueerDuck]

10. Thank you for sharing this. He's a gem. Practical and realistic. But he's being attacked by the "purists" ...

who indulge themselves in some sort of fantasy that mere stubbornness and volume will win the day. I share their frustration with the situation that we face... but I will NOT attack, smear, denigrate and betray our party because of the realities we face.

[Demsrule86]

23. We lost the ACA forever. There is nothing he could

Say.

[Donkees]

11. "I've lost my harmonica, Albert."

[Frasier Balzov]

12. We caved because we love the country.

If you want Democrats to be stronger in the struggle, voters must express themselves accordingly.

I would ask Senator Kaine to revisit his theme of A Deal Is A Deal.

Republicans caused the shut down because Democratic legislators were skeptical of their honor.

Rescission. Republicans can undo their compromises by using reconciliation to rescind them.

It is only honor which restrains them.

Urge them to behave honorably.

Complain vigorously when they don't.

[Prairie Gates]

13. "robust full-year funding for SNAP, WIC, "

Uh, guy, that was the status quo before the shut down. Now you're telling us we have to give something away for the GOP to approve SNAP and WIC?

[dsc]

21. actually no it wasn't

which is why that actually is a good thing. SNAP and WIC will be funded until next Oct. I wouldn't have voted for this either but we do need to be honest about what the bill actually does.

[questionseverything]

38. Snap will be funded at pre pandemic levels, so after adding for inflation

And the pandemic bump, so people will receive about 3/4 of snap in January compared to September


If democrats could of gotten the pandemic bump extended that could of been a win

[pat_k]

63. Cold comfort, but the 20 billion-ish annual SNAP cuts in the MAGA Murder Budget "blueprint"

...ARE NOT implemented for 2026.

[Beartracks]

77. Is that one of Republicans' "poison pills" that implements in 2027 so that it's AFTER the mid-terms...

... so that, in case Democrats win back Congress, Republicans can handily blame the fallout on the Democrats?

===============

[pat_k]

95. That it is. Until the cuts in the Murder Budget are implemented in an appropriations bill, they have no real effect.

You are right. The major SNAP cuts were scheduled for 2027. I thought they were to take effect sooner. Oh well. Not much of a win after all.

But the fact remains that the MAGA Murder Budget reamins one of the most despised piece of legislation in my memory -- and perhaps ever.

Democrats have a chance to fight like hell -- and stick it out this time -- again in January. The defectors will have a chance to redeem themselves.

We must be pushing now for the leadership to set out a set of demands to mitigate the most hated and harmful of the provisions in that "blueprint." And, assuming the "minibus" negotiated passes, they will NOT be able to threaten SNAP or military pay because the 2026 funding will already be in place for those parts of the budget.

Trumpublicans must be forced to defend the indefensible. And if they refuse to change course and step back on the worst of that bill, we must bring all the pressure we can to bear to convince the Senate Democratic caucus to hold out.

In January, we need to do everything in our power to make sure the likely February shutdown ends in one of two ways: Our demands are met, or they invoke the nuclear option. If they won't modify their hated budget, let them take 100% responsibility for it by passing it with only their own votes.

[Demsrule86]

44. Which by the way won't happen.

He and the others will go down in history as the folks who lost the ACA causing the death of millions

[moreland01]

64. I realized during Covid

that the death of millions was/is acceptable.

And why is nobody pointing out that going one year without health insurance makes you virtually uninsurable going forward, assuming we're back to the old cruel way of allowing only the wealthy into the individual marketplace.

Without the subsidies my insurance premiums will go from $79/month this year to $1000/month next. I know that because the exchange is now open and the cheapest plan for me (with an income of $40k/yr) is $1k/month.

Do the math. How in the hell am I going to pay that?

[Baitball Blogger]

14. First, we're not friends.

Second, we were all suffering together. Now the pain of the most vulnerable in this country will take the full load.

[Cirsium]

15. OK

So, you never had a clue what this was all about. Got it. After all, who knew what a shutdown meant? Who could have possibly predicted that the Republicans would be uncooperative?

[Demsrule86]

16. Dear Tim

The ACA WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGISLATION we passed in 50 years and you and your partners in betrayal destroyed it. We won’t get it back. Millions will die but business and airplanes are more important to you… not Americans who sent you to Congress Don’t talk to me about SNAP, You know full Well it is gone.
I will spend the next year working against those of you you were so worried airplanes and such that you betrayed we the people I sincerely believe you should resign but if you … well primaries for every one of you would work just as well. We could live without Airlines but not without health insurance. For shame.

[misanthrope]

49. You might want to check if any of the Craven Eight are on the 2026 ballot

My expectation is that they are safe.

[rpannier]

76. Shaheen and Durbin are retiring -- likely to some lobbying job

Though Shaheen likely torched her daughter's House campaign.

[lapfog_1]

58. None of the Eight will run for re-election anytime soon.

This is why they were picked by Dem Leadership to "walk the plank" and divide the party.

[tritsofme]

17. Thank you for living in the reality based community, Senator Kaine!

[yowzayowzayowza]

51. ...and taking one for the team.

Republicans are killing the ACA. PERIOD.

[Prairie Gates]

18. "We won't win it if we turn to in-fighting."

Translation: Stop calling my office and saying mean things.

[Demsrule86]

25. So how do we win? We sure as hell lost last night.

We need a better congress who will fight for us.

[Demsrule86]

26. And mark my words Medicare is next.

[Prairie Gates]

28. We'll trade Medicare for 17 more weeks of SNAP

Sorry: robust SNAP.

[Demsrule86]

46. Exactly re'd !!!

[misanthrope]

53. When do they actually come for the SNAP itself?

It will happen when they feel they no longer need the hostage.

[Autumn]

22. And now because of your short sightedness thousands upon thousands will have no healthcare.

You want to give up your worlds best healthcare that we pay for? The gold standard of healthcare that we people were never privileged to have but made sure you got it and we will now have even less? Thanks to you.

This was your moment Democrats and you fucking blew it. And the cherry on top? You people and Schumer had this planned all while you were feigning concern for us.

You fucking played and betrayed the people who have supported you.

[Demsrule86]

32. Perfect Autumn rec'd. I feel exactly the same

Health care was huge. We fought for it for decade's And we will not it get back anytime soon.

[AZJonnie]

41. Democrats created these enhanced COVID subsidies, and then put a 1 year sunset on them, which is long past

In fact,, they were extended in the Inflation Reduction Act for 3 extra years (also by Democrats) prior to this current attempt to re-authorize them.

So, your framing of "This was your moment Democrats and you fucking blew it" is a bit interesting, I have to say. If not for the actions of Democrats, these enhanced subsidies would never have existed. Would that have been better? Then they wouldn't have to concede them someday when they did have not the political power to force them to be kept around, four years after their original planned sunset?

[Autumn]

48. Whoosh !!! right over your head They fucking blew it and they should have made fucking sure some other

Senator would keep her mouth shut about it being he Senate Dems and Schumer's plan all along. They fucking blew it. But by all means defend them at all costs.

[AZJonnie]

60. Who said "it was their plan all along"? Do you mean, like, since Day 1?

If that's what you're saying, I suspect you are misreading something, or perhaps accepting someone's framing of what somebody else said uncritically

I assure you nothing has "whooshed" over me. You, however, are ignoring the content of my reply. Too inconvenient to address?

I'm amenable to the argument that Democrats never should have shut down the government over these subsidies expiring in the first place, simply because it should've been foreseeable that there was no was they were be going to be kept, but I'm a lot more ambivalent WRT whether capitulating now was the right move. I do not think it's NEARLY as cut-and-dried as you are suggesting

[Autumn]

92. I misread nothing. Jeanne Shaheen let that cat out of the bag.

Schumer knew the entire time about the plan for a few Democrats to capitulate to Republicans on the government shutdown. From the beginning. While he was vowing to fight for us.

[AZJonnie]

94. What "entire time"? From "the beginning" ... of what?

"Schumer knew the entire time about the plan for a few Democrats to capitulate to Republicans on the government shutdown. From the beginning"

What are you defining as the beginning, and what did she define as the beginning? Can you demonstrate how your dates and her date are one and the same?

[Autumn]

96. A fifth grader can understand what I posted. If you need help with it call her and ask her.

[AZJonnie]

98. No I understand exactly what you are CLAIMING

I would've understood in the 1st grade, thank you very much. I'm asking you to clarify and prove your claim.

From where I sit, you are reading a heck of a lot into her actual quote. The question asked was:

""Were Democratic leaders, like Schumer, kept apprised of your group's intentions ahead of the vote?""

to which she said "We kept Senator Schumer informed throughout bipartisan discussions that have really gone on since the beginning of the shutdown."

You appear (to me) to be saying Shaheen said outright that there was a "plan all along" for this particular outcome. But that is not what she said. She is simply saying what she and the others did was not a surprise to Schumer, which is not the same thing as being "the plan all along". It doesn't even say Schumer gave his approval, though one might presume he did. Do you understand the difference?

[Demsrule86]

52. No we would have lost the ACA sooner

If we didn’t. have the subsidies.Millions will die and the ACA will fail now. Health care will be gone forever. But Congress will keep their health care of course.

[AZJonnie]

66. You found the right post, I saw your other one ;)

Is is not true that the ACA survived for 6 years (under the 2014 regulations that had been in place) before the temporary COVID subsidies currently in question ever came along? There were just a lot less people on it? That's how I remember things. The baseline subsidies are not going away.

But if you believe those enhanced subsidies were the whole reason we still had an ACA, AND the reason for the enhanced subsidies was "because Democrats created and extended them while in power", it still does not make sense to savage Democrats over them going away because they don't control any of three branches. "Democrats kept the ACA for us for as long as they possibly could" is a perfectly valid reading of the situation as well, no?

Simple fact is, we had no path to victory, no path to keeping these subsidies. If you accept this fundamental fact (and it IS a fact) the whole capitulation thing becomes easier to swallow. At least, it has for me. But then, all along I've thought the shutdown was imprudent (though I've not voiced it) because I knew we could not win, that these particular subsidies ARE going away, and all our Democrats were EVER doing was grandstanding. I'm kinda shocked everyone didn't realize this all along

[berksdem]

103. Well said!!!

[Bettie]

123. The part that makes it even worse is how they timed it

for a moment when we felt hopeful after the election.

Turnout is apparently something they want to depress and this was the BEST possible way to ensure that people understand that their votes don't actually matter, that THEY don't actually matter to the wealthy people who run the government.

This was a choice made at the top levels of our party to end the ACA.

[AZJonnie]

24. Good. And I think it'd be smart if all elected Democrats were saying this, in unison, now that the decision is made

Infighting among our pols, handing the media a "Dems in Disarray" storyline, is not going to do us any favors. I don't mean US on DU here, I mean our elected reps. It would be smarter to stick together, even if some don't personally like the deal.

MHO, fwiw

[Demsrule86]

34. Destroying health care is worse. And folks

Won’t forgive this.

[yaesu]

39. He may or may not realized that he and the crazy eight just stabbed every Democratic voter in the back. nt

[AZJonnie]

47. Please see my post #41 above

[Demsrule86]

55. I am on my phone in hospital so no Numbers.

I don’t have laptop.

[yaesu]

35. The vast, vast majority of House and Senate Dems think he fucked up, now that's unity!!! nt

[AZJonnie]

45. That is THE OPPOSITE of unity, my friend

[Autumn]

50. The Democratic party isn't in disarray. They fucked the very voters who have supported them.

The voters they assured that they would fight for.

[Demsrule86]

56. They did exactly. Rec

[Autumn]

59. I have three wonderful great grandchildren. Two have severe asthma. Both parents work and get

healthcare through the ACA because neither company they work for offers any insurance. They are screwed.

[0rganism]

27. "So we negotiated for what we could get": bupkis.

So, Sen. Kaine, when the ACA exchange plans go away and F47 runs his alternative "direct payout" schemes up the flagpole, will you vote for the first one right away or wait to hear about all of them beforehand?

[Emile]

29. He caved for a path, that's path etic.

[Xavier Breath]

30. ...last night's vote gave us a path for an ACA fix to stop a devastating rise in premiums...

JFC, these people

[Prairie Gates]

42. Naivety? You're an optimist!

[Skittles]

109. he is not naive

he knows ACA is doomed but he just pretends otherwise

[Skittles]

112. he is still nowhere near as vile and disgusting as repukes are

NOT EVEN CLOSE

[Skittles]

115. the eight are getting the flak now instead of repukes

that ain't right

[yaesu]

31. Last night will forever be known as the Kaine mutiny. nt

[Clouds Passing]

43. They lied to you Tim. When are you going to believe they lie with every breath?

[lapfog_1]

57. "Finally, last night's vote gave us a path for an ACA fix to stop a devastating rise in premiums"

NO... it did NOT... and if you believe it did, I have discounted lottery tickets for sale.

More importantly, this will divide OUR BASE... the people that just handed Democrats a huge victory.

You could have ALWAYS had a "potential vote" on extending the ACA subsidies... Why did we go through the last 40 days?

[Hassler]

67. A lot of words to say, Your ACA premiums are going to skyrocket.

[BaronChocula]

68. I won't begrudge anyone

I'm not in the difficult position of choosing between gov't workers losing their homes and holding out to save ACA subsidies, but I do have questions like:
- What was the point of the shutdown?
- Was 40 days (or whatever) your threshold for holding out when the shutdown started?
- What was the point of holding out?

[Tribetime]

69. Did he have any meetings or town halls with people in his state

To see how they felt about it

[Emile]

70. A lot of people will be uninsured. Path-etic

[Skittles]

114. remember this is because of REPUBLICANS

they literally DO NOT CARE if anyone gets heath care and nothing was going to change that

[walkingman]

71. A total wimp now trying to justify his cowardliness.

[NoMoreRepugs]

73. Just another lesson learned for the purity Democrats who couldn't vote for Harris.

[2na fisherman]

74. Not A Real Deal

How can anyone expect these Republicans to honor this so-called deal? They have proven themselves not to be people of their word so any negotiations with them are done in bad faith. They will take back everything they "promised" and who will hold them accountable when they break their promises? None of this has any guaranteed legal provisions to make them real.

[rpannier]

79. You and a small handful

The guy will never be President of the United States
He runs in 28, Newsom and Shapiro will torch him
In '32 he'll be a non-entity at best

[Emile]

93. Why not Fetterman?

[KLK1972]

78. I'm a Virginia constituent and federal employee

It's been HELL.

I absolutely care about ACA. But I also NEED to be paid. I can't work another job because I'm an excepted employee. Do I walk away from the years of service I put in with retirement just six years down the road? Do I just keep skipping paying my mortgage, my bills? How many loans can I continue to take out to support my disabled husband and child? I have another child in college, she's using GI Bill for tuition and its covered because the schools bursers office is on the ball but because of the shut down she didn't get her housing stipend yet and we can't get anyone on the phone at the VA to discuss it. Do I just keep hoping and praying for goodwill of others in stocking food pantries and extending bill deadlines? I'm just one person. We are just one family. In our state there are thousands more just like us. Our neighbors are hurting too- they depend on us to patronize their businesses, and well- we can't. We can't eat at local restaurants or visit the local holiday craft fairs or give our usual donated thanksgiving meal goods. We can't do anything because of this shut down.

I understand why people are mad and why this is so disapointing, and I understand why people feel hopeless. But I appreciate Sen Kaine for understanding the plight of my family and so many like ours here in Virginia.

[Skittles]

81. may we assume you didn't vote -R-

and /or will never vote repuke again? If so, welcome to DU

[KLK1972]

83. Definitely not!!

I knew what a horrible disaster this admin would be. Wish I'd been wrong to be honest.

[Skittles]

99. you have a home here

[sheshe2]

111. I am so sorry for what you, your family and neighbors are going through, KLK.

It shouldn't be happening, but here we are under the rule of a president and party that takes pleasure in the pain and suffering of the people of their own country.

Your post and message should be a standalone OP here at DU, though you don't have enough posts to do so at this time.

We should all take a moment to a mile in someone else's shoes.

Thank you, KLK and welcome to DU.

[Hekate]

116. Welcome to DU. I'm so very sorry for what you & your family are going through. I respect Sen. Kaine...

When I heard a news clip this evening of his explanation of his vote, and the awful plight of his constituents, those were all the reasons I thought he would give. As I say, I respect him.

I think most of us get it, but it’s been a bit crazy here in the moment. I hope to see you around.

[lostincalifornia]

120. No one is happy with this, and it is easy for those who are NOT dependent on foodstamps, or on a check to

pay for rent, mortgage, or food that is withheld by the shutdown to be more critical of the so-called "caving in", then those who are directly impacted by it.

When you have the minority in both houses of Congress, and a sociopath in the white house because of the 2024 election, and a supreme court we have today because of the 2016 election, this should be no surprise. In fact VP Harris warned us in most of her campaign speeches about it. This is exactly what Project 2025 is about.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

125. Welcome to DU

Thank you for this post.

[lapucelle]

129. Welcome to DU.

[mcar]

131. Thank you for sharing your story and welcome to DU

People have been suffering and you made it real to us.

[Cha]

132. Aloha KLK1972... Welcome to DU💙

Mahalo for Speaking out with your personal experience of how the Gov Shutdown has affected you and your family. And, we know it's not just you who's been going through this.

When I read Sen Kaine's statement on why he voted Yes it was obvious how much he was looking out for Virginians. And, Gov elect Spanberger's statement, too.

I hope the Government Opens up Soon so you All can get back to Work and take care of Business.

[hamsterjill]

80. Honestly, I was quite surprised when Hillary picked him.

He's always seemed a little wimpy to me. But he was her choice and I supported her madly, so I figured that there must be something about him that I just didn't see.

Now, I'm back to simply thinking he's a wimpy, corporate shill. This statement screams "just don't hate me" to me. It doesn't give any real reasoning as to why he would all of a sudden decide to cave. To trust the Republicans to do anything to continue the ACA is just sheer stupidity. It's been their goal since day one to irradicate it simply because it originated under Obama and Trump is jealous and hates Obama because people respect and like Obama.

Sorry, Tim, but I'm just not impressed. And NOW you want us all to fight together? What in the hell do you think we were all doing by donating to food banks, calling neighbors who were knew were furloughed to see if they had food for themselves and their pets (which I actually DID), arguing with the MAGA's in our lives who called us fools for backing you, and finally, for giving the Democratic party the absolute WIN that it had a week ago only to allow you to deflate all of the inspiration that day brought.

[betsuni]

117. He was one of the top three contenders for Obama's VP pick, too. "Corporate shill"?

[hamsterjill]

118. So? Obama didn't wind up picking him, did he?

Yes. Corporate shill. He caved. There is a lot of speculation that the airlines leaned heavily on the Dems to induce them to go back to the table. We will never have proof of that, but something happened to make the Dems give in.

But whatever. If you’re happy with this outcome, then so be it. Because I am not. Neither is Gavin Newsom. So take up your tin foil hat theory with him.

[underpants]

82. Okay

[Marcuse]

84. Congress: January 30, 2026.

[AllyCat]

85. Not buying it but I appreciate him trying to explain his vote.

Republicans will never, ever do the right thing. They look for every opportunity to hurt Americans and appease their corporate masters and Orange Julius.

[Diraven]

87. The "path for an ACA fix"

Is a total joke. Basically the entire plan is to shame GOP Congresspeople when they inevitably vote against it so they might get voted out of office in 2026 and so there's a small chance the ACA might be restored in 2027 if Democrats win big. And naively hoping Republicans don't carry out Trump's promise to completely destroy it over the intervening 2 years.

[aggiesal]

89. All I read was blah, blah, blah, I'm a weak senator, blah, blah, blah n/t

[djacq]

90. A lesson from the Peanuts...

Can't wait for that football to be kicked in December.

[Dave Bowman]

91. Reminds me of this guy:

"At Munich, Chamberlain got an international agreement that Hitler should have the Sudetenland in exchange for Germany making no further demands for land in Europe. Chamberlain said it was 'Peace for our time'"

[maspaha]

97. Coward

[Javaman]

100. Cool story bro 🙄

Whatever helps him sleep at night

[choie]

101. Go jump in a lake.

YOU don't have to worry about being unable to afford healthcare. You are weak and compromised.

[LonePirate]

105. This part is gaslighting: "I believe we can win this critical ACA battle if we fight for it together."

We should expect the truth from our elected officials.

[kacekwl]

107. He is what is going to happen.

Republicans will laugh in your face when asked about ACA negotiations. Next year or sooner the Republicans will again shut down the government. Democrats will bump into each other like little electric football players buzzing around the field because Republicans know exactly what will happen. Democratic voters will be fed up and stay home election day.

[ColoringFool]

119. Tim---May I Call You Tim?---ALL Of What You Wrote Was Foreseen. And....

Yet your, OUR, Party at large knew the adage is true: One cannot and should not negotiate with terrorists, for only one side will do so in good faith.

You and your fellow Democratic "negotiators" have been had, hornswoggled, bamboozled, gulled, and duped.

Enjoy the rest of the football season, Charlie Brown.

[Johnny2X2X]

121. We're supposed to support Dems here

But here goes, Fuck this guy! You life and the lives of your family are a political football to people like Tim Kaine. It's a big game to him, he cares more about going , "Look, the GOP took away your health care" than he does about actually preserving your life saving health care.

I might be leaving DU because I am about through with this garbage.

[sunflowerseed]

126. F HIM F THEM VOTE EM OUT!!

[Ping Tung]

128. Dear senator: "It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners." Albert Camus

[Emile]

130. Exactly

[valleyrogue]

133. The facts won't convince people who have their minds made up because they are focusing ONLY on the ACA.

There are literally millions whose lives were at stake, at stake because of jobs, at stake because of the prospect of starvation.

It would have been catastrophic for the economy and for people's lives.

The ACA is important--but so are jobs, so is food, so is housing.

[Hugin]

134. These comparisons invoking feeding children vs the ACA health care is a fallacy...

Many if not most of the people who receive SNAP also have ACA benefits. They are the same people!