Republicans are falsely claiming Democrats are shutting down the US government to give undocumented immigrants healthcare. notes Newsweek:
The Claim
“Democrats are going to shut down the federal government and inflict significant pain on American citizens because President Trump won’t force taxpayers to fund free benefits to illegal aliens,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X September 26. “Democrats are radical and completely America Last.”
Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Democratic Senators have some “crazy ideas,” including funding healthcare for illegal immigrants, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also shared a similar message on X.
The Facts
Democrats released a budget proposal that seeks to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies before they expire at the end of the year. The plan, put forward by Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro and Washington Senator Patty Murray, also includes a reversal of Medicaid cuts made earlier this year.
The pair argues that if their proposal is not put in place, then “15 million Americans” will be kicked off their health care plans, because of the provisions made in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would see health care provisions expire in 2027, including for legal immigrants accessing ACA subsidies.
“While Republicans push America to the brink of a shutdown, Democrats are ready to negotiate a bipartisan continuing resolution and government funding bills that lower the cost of living, help working people—not just billionaires—and protect people’s health care,” DeLauro and Murray said in a joint statement.
The proposal does not include free healthcare for illegal immigrants.