In an infuriating press conference given in mid-December of 2025, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused to rule out another government shutdown when the short-term spending package agreed upon at the conclusion of the last one expires on January 30, raising the specter of yet more major problems just months after the last shutdown, the longest in American history, ended.
It was with the reminder that the funding would soon run out that a reporter pressed Schumer on what the Democrats would do, asking if they would again force a shutdown by demanding that funding for Obamacare subsidies be included as part of any spending package they would agree to, something that Republicans have said is unacceptable.
Pressing him on that, a reporter asked, “Mr. Chairman, you mentioned January 1. There is also a January 30 deadline to fund the government. Do you have any expectation that Democrats might tie back to ACA like you did last time to try to get a result?”
Responding, Schumer tried to dodge the question, speaking blandly and without specifics about getting healthcare “done”. He said, “Look, just as I said, it’s on the Republicans that we haven’t had health care done after January 1. It’s very, very hard to put it back in the bottom.”
Then, when again asked if Democrats would shut down the government for Obamacare, he again tried to dodge the question but refused to rule out a shutdown, saying, “As I said, the bottom line is very simple, and that is that the way to solve this problem, because the toothpaste is already out of the tube, is get it done by January 1. The Republicans, if they care so much and feel the heat, they should make sure they pass our bill.”
Noting that he wasn’t being very specific and hadn’t given a straight answer on whether or not a shutdown would happen, a reporter asked, “That doesn’t sound like you’ve arrived on a strategy for how to handle January 30. So is that in play? Yes or no? The health care issue, the same as it was in the government shutdown this fall?”
Schumer then tried to dodge by insisting that he had already answered and so wouldn’t answer again, snapping, “I answered the question.” Noting that he hadn’t actually answered the question, a responding reporter pointed out, “That doesn’t sound clear, though.”
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Angrily responding without really giving a straight answer and focusing on the wrong deadline, the Senate Minority Leader snapped, “The bottom line is very clear. You can’t do it after January 1, especially when the issues of Hyde and all these people. It’s expired already. It’s not the same as it was before. Once it expires, the toothpaste is out of the tube.”
Watch him here:
Posting about the shutdown and Obamacare on Truth Social, the president said, “I am sorry that the American People are being terrorized by Democrats who have decided to shut the Government down to make me and other Republicans continue ObamaCare subsidies, which have been a windfall for Health Insurance Companies, and a DISASTER for the American People. The largest Health Insurance Companies have seen their Stock Prices soar (Some over 1000%!) since the passage of ObamaCare.”
He added, “Meanwhile, Americans’ Premiums have more than DOUBLED, contrary to President Obama’s promise. I believe that the money should go directly to THE PEOPLE to purchase better Healthcare, and create competition. This enrichment of Health Insurance companies must stop. It is long past time to lower Premiums, not enrich Insurance Companies. I stand ready to work with both Parties to solve this problem once the Government is open. Stop terrorizing the American People. Stop pushing failed policies!”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video