Democrats thrust expiring Obamacare credits into center of shutdown brawl

Published September 5, 2025 5:00am ET



Senate Democrats are rolling out a new demand from Republicans as the parties clash ahead of an Oct. 1 government funding deadline: extend enhanced health insurance premium subsidies set to expire at year’s end.

The Obamacare tax credits offer a far simpler messaging strategy on a subject that affects millions of low- and middle-income Americans rather than fuming over foreign aid that President Donald Trump has slashed without Capitol Hill’s approval.

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