On Wednesday's “The Lead” on CNN, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) responded to a question about Obamacare premium increases separate from the expiration of premium subsidies, saying Republicans have shut down the government and “we're not going to sit here while premiums for Americans go up 200%, in many cases 300%, and it's causing a shock to our medical system, and it's literally life and death for Americans.” We just won't let that happen, so they have to come to us with good intentions.”
Host Jake Tapper asked, “[E]Earlier today, Obamacare or ACA enrollees saw premiums for the first time in 2026, with premiums expected to rise an average of 26%. This is not related to the expiration of Obamacare premium subsidies, which is why Democrats say they shut down the government to get those subsidies reauthorized, but when it comes to premiums, why are prices skyrocketing?”
Crow responded, “Well, first of all, Jake, the Democrats didn't shut down the government. Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress control every branch of our government. They didn't even come to us. Donald Trump literally went on Fox & Friends and said don't talk to the Democrats… that's exactly what Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Los Angeles) did, right? And then they actually shut down Congress. We're already 28 days away from shutting down because Mike Johnson says: What in the name of God, can you say we've done our job and closed the doors? They need to reopen the government, they need to reopen the House of Representatives, and we're standing on the sidelines to do that. But yeah, we're not going to sit here while insurance premiums for Americans go up 200%, in many cases, 300%, and it's causing a shock to our medical system, and it's literally life and death for Americans. So we're just not going to let it happen. come to us with good intentions.”
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