WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fourth District Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga says the federal government shutdown is more about philosophy and politics than actual issues.
He spoke on West Michigan's Morning News about the deadlock in Congress over enhanced Obamacare subsidies. He told WOOD Radio that both U.S. Senators from Michigan voted against a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would have temporarily funded the federal government. He said Republicans hope to convince more Democrats to agree with the GOP budget plan.
At the time of publication, Republicans needed to flip five Democratic votes to get the CR approved.
"The first time it was only (Pennsylvania Senator) John Fetterman who crossed the aisle back on September 19 or 20," Huizenga said. "But last evening or yesterday, there were a couple more Democrats that joined them. Hopefully, they're going to feel a little pressure back home to say, 'Okay, what are we doing here?'"
Huizenga said that many Democrats want to go beyond the funding extension to pay for the healthcare of non-residents.
"And you're wanting to negotiate and tie to it an expiring, temporary tax credit that would then make (it) a forever tax credit for everyone, including people who aren't here legally," Huizenga said. \
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