Press Releases

Donald Trump and Republicans are more interested in inflicting pain on the American people than lowering health care costs—and they are pressuring Democrats to cave to their partisan spending bill. Because Republicans refused to negotiate a bipartisan deal, the government shut down on October 1st at 12:00 AM ET. Democrats want to quickly reopen the government while addressing the Republican health care crisis and lowering health care costs for working families across America. Republicans may be willing to play games with women and families’ health and economic well-being, but DWC members are not. DWC members and House Democrats stand united and will not back down.

Republicans must come to the table to work on a bipartisan solution that serves ALL Americans, and protects essential health care like the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits—set to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension of these tax credits, the average cost of health care will increase over $700 each year for 22 million Americans. Many will lose care altogether. Plus, care providers stand to lose over $30 billion—costs that will fall directly on hospitals and patients. The lives of women and families are on the line.

DWC members are fighting in D.C., in their communities, and across the country to protect Americans’ access to health care. This week alone DWC members:   

Hosted an “Ask us Anything the Republican Shutdown Edition:”

On September 29th, DWC hosted the Ask Us Anything: The Republican Shutdown Edition livestream with DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Whip Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), DWC National Leaders & Advocacy Organizations Liaison Joyce Beatty (OH-03), DWC Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Liaison Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02), DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-06), and DWC members Jennifer McClellen (VA-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). Members answered questions submitted by audience members, including on the impact of a government shutdown, Republicans’ attacks on health care, and the deployment of federal troops in cities across the country.

Co-hosted a press conference with Democratic Caucuses:

On September 30th, DWC co-hosted a press conference with the New Democrat Coalition, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Congressional Equality Caucus calling for Republicans to come back to D.C. to negotiate a bipartisan spending bill that addresses the Republican health care crisis. 

• DWC Chair Leger Fernández called out Republicans for fleeing Washington and abandoning the needs of their constituents.
• DWC members Grace Meng (NY-06), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Becca Balint (VT-At Large) also demanded that Republicans show up for the American people and spoke about the importance of protecting health care.

Joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark at a press conference with storytellers:

On September 30th, DWC members joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) at a press conference highlighting the impact of the GOP’s health care crisis on women and families.  Storytellers shared first hand accounts of how the expiring Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits and Medicaid cuts will harm their lives.

Rallied with Healthcare Over Billionaires:

On September 30th, DWC members, stakeholders, and advocates joined the Healthcare Over Billionaires rally outside the Capitol to highlight the real human cost of the Republicans’ billionaires-first tax and budget agenda. Members demanded a fair tax system and a budget that invests in working families, not one that gives huge tax cuts to the wealthy. DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Whip Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), DWC Senate Liaison Debbie Dingell (MI-06), DWC Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Liaison Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), DWC Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and DWC members Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03) shared remarks. 

Visited a regional services center to call for the protection of critical health and social services:

On October 1st, DWC member April McClain Delaney (MD-06) led leaders from the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and House Democrats, including DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-06), DWC member Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), and Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), in a visit to the Sidney Kraemer UpCounty Regional Services Center in Germantown, MD. During their visit, Members met with community leaders who provide essential health and human services, like income support, workforce development, childcare, nutrition assistance, and public health services to community members. They also toured the facility—unique in its role as a one-stop shop for health and human services for the community. The Sidney Kraemer UpCounty Regional Services Center primarily services low-income residents, many of whom are insured through Medicaid. Trump and Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid will hurt the center’s ability to provide services like far too many health centers and hospitals across every corner of the country. 

At a press conference following the visit, Members shared their reflections on the visit and asked Republicans to join Democrats in their commitment to solving America’s health care crisis.