Republicans are losing ground with their own base as the government shutdown drags into a third day, with new polling showing voters siding with Democrats on preserving enhanced Obamacare subsidies.
Seventy-eight percent of U.S. adults want Congress to extend the tax credits that lower monthly premiums for millions buying insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, a new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll finds. Support cuts across party lines: 92 percent of Democrats, 82 percent of independents, and 59 percent of Republicans back the credits. Even among MAGA-aligned Republicans, a majority—57 percent—say they should remain.
Why It Matters
The ACA tax credits, originally expanded under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, are a lifeline for roughly 24 million Americans. Without them, premiums are expected to double for many, and millions could lose coverage according to according to an analysis by KFF. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year.
Democrats have demanded that the subsidies, first put in place in 2021 and extended a year later, be extended again. They also want any government funding bill to reverse the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s mega-bill passed this summer, which don’t go into effect immediately but are already driving some states to cut Medicaid payments to health providers.
What To Know
The public isn’t just siding with Democrats on policy; they’re also ready to assign blame if the subsidies disappear. Among Americans who support extending the credits, 39 percent say Trump would be most responsible, while 37 percent point to Republicans in Congress. Only 22 percent would blame Democrats.
“This month’s poll shows that large majorities of the public, including majorities of Democrats, independents, Republicans, and MAGA supporters are concerned about many of the potential consequences of letting these enhanced tax credits expire,” the report notes.
Even among those who buy their own insurance—many of whom lean Republican—42 percent say they would fault congressional Republicans if the credits expire, and 37 percent would blame Trump. Only 21 percent would blame Democrats.
The financial impact for these households is also concerning Americans. According to the poll, 70 percent of adults who buy their own insurance say they could not afford their current plan if monthly premiums doubled, which is what experts project would happen if the subsidies expire. Forty-two percent say they would drop coverage entirely, while just 30 percent say they could afford to keep their plans.
Despite the broad support for preserving the tax credits, awareness remains low: 60 percent of U.S. adults say they have heard “a little” or “nothing at all” about the looming expiration. Even among people whose insurance costs would be directly affected, nearly six in ten are unaware.
Three months after the passing of President Trump’s major legislative achievement, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” most people polled remain unaware of how the effects of the tax and budget legislation will impact them. Six in ten adults say they do not have enough information as to how the legislation will impact them personally, while four in ten report that they do have enough information.
What People Are Saying
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, on X Wednesday: “Democrats passed CRs 13 different times when they had the majority and Biden was president. They have lost all rationale when it comes to their hatred for President Trump. I hope Democrats will come to their senses and reopen the government.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also on X Wednesday: “Republicans shut down the government because they can’t be bothered to protect health care for Americans across this country. Premiums are set to more than double! Americans cannot afford this.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: “We are not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of everyday Americans.”
What Happens Next
How long the government shutdown will last remains unclear, but betting odds suggest many Americans believe it could last for weeks.
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