Alabama members of Congress react to government shutdown

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama’s members of Congress are speaking out about the government shutdown. 

We are now on day 38 of the government shutdown, and Alabama Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives disagree on how to get the government back up and running.

Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL) said the Senate needs Democrats to join Republicans in order to open the government. He supports President Donald Trump’s suggestion of using the “nuclear option.” That means ending the filibuster and making the decision a simple majority vote.

“No way it can be blamed on us,” said Congressman Moore. “We are literally passing a C-R that the Democrats have already voted for under the Biden administration, and again this year in May. And so, for them to blame the Republicans- it’s simply not a real issue, it’s really a false flag.”

But, on the other side of the aisle, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) said Republicans are to blame for the shutdown.

“We know that we cannot pass a budget unless it’s bipartisan. So, let’s sit at the table, and let’s negotiate a bipartisan agreement that will reopen government, that will protect healthcare, that will fully fund SNAP and other important programs,” she said.

Sewell said Republicans should vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

“I know that my Republican colleagues have been trying to get rid of it,” said Sewell. “But we have a problem in America when it comes to healthcare and the skyrocketing cost of healthcare.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said Republicans are willing to discuss healthcare after opening the government.

“This is not a partisan bill. This is not anything for Democrats, not for Republicans. It’s not anything for anyone except just opening the government,” he said. “We have passed in the House. We’re just waiting on the Senate to vote for it.”

According to The Hill, the Senate chamber is expected to work through the weekend.