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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The clock is ticking as a federal government shutdown looms and funding runs out. While the debate happens hundreds of miles away in Washington, D.C., the shutdown will impact North Carolina.
“Sadly this is 100% politically motivated by Chuck Schumer, who is afraid of his progressive left base,” North Carolina Representative Greg Murphy (R) said.
“We believe that the Republicans will hear from the American people when they see the effects on their healthcare, and then they will come to the negotiating table,” North Carolina Representative Deborah Ross (D) said.
The biggest hold up is healthcare funding. Democrats want an increase in subsidies and want to make sure people covered by the Affordable Care Act don’t see their premiums skyrocket. North Carolina Democrats say they’re not backing down.
“We were just on the steps of the Capitol hearing from a man who has cancer who barely can afford his copays now, his copays and deductibles… his health insurance premiums will double if we just go ahead and let the Republicans have their way,” Ross said.
“If these credits are not extended, then people are going to have to make choices between whether they’re going to pay for healthcare, or food, or rent, or whatever,” Representative Valerie Foushee (D) said.
North Carolina Republicans say healthcare will largely stay the same, and the funding bill is nearly identical to previous bills that Democrats voted in favor of.
“They haven’t read it, obviously, it has nothing that’s partisan in it, it is essentially the same thing that we voted on several months ago, other than adding maybe a little bit for security given the light of security concerns in this day,” Murphy said.
With time for an agreement running out, some Republicans are hopeful Democrats will see things their way. North Carolina Democrats, though, say they aren’t budging.
“We are resolute in making sure that we do what’s best for the American people, particularly right now that we are in a healthcare crisis that was created by the Republicans,” Foushee said.
Lawmakers have until midnight Tuesday to come to an agreement and get enough votes to stop the shutdown. The representatives we heard from say that’s not likely.
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Deana Harley
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