New York’s Rep: Why Senate Minority Is Holding Out For Better Deal With Government Shutdown Already In Effect – Republicans Not Negotiating On Important Issues

New York’s Rep: Why Senate Minority Is Holding Out For Better Deal With Government Shutdown Already In Effect – Republicans Not Negotiating On Important Issues

Editor’s note: Readers recently learned from Senator Gillibrand and Rep. AOC about the government shutdown and some of the effects it will have on everyday New Yorkers, as well as residents of other states, along with why it is important to Democrats to hold out for a better deal in order to prevent Americans from seeing their healthcare costs actually skyrocket.  With the expiration of the subsidies (preceded by the rise in rates that is already occurring ahead of the November 1st rate change publication on the exchanges where people purchase their health insurance plans), people are already receiving notices of the new hundred-fold rate increases from their insurers, and, as Senator Gillibrand mentioned, you can go to the exchange yourself and check out your own new predicted rates if you already have health insurance. Democrats are also holding out for a reversal to the rescissions for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which can only operate on federal funds, and has already started winding down operations, leaving local stations to find the funds to operate themselves – with help from PBS and other non-profits).  Also demanded are reversals to cuts to Medicaid which pay for healthcare for disabled and poor Americans.  All of these are popular requests that are supported by the majority of Americans.  The last time this happened, Senator Gillibrand again reminded people what the shutdown would do to New Yorkers all over the state. 

According to The Guardian: “Democrats are maximizing the leverage they have in the upper chamber by refusing to reopen the government until premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act health plans are extended into next year. They also want cuts to the Medicaid program for poor and disabled Americans reversed, funding to public media outlets such as PBS and NPR restored and Donald Trump’s use of “pocket rescissions” to slash spending curbed.”

Have Questions About a Government Shutdown? Ask Us Here

We understand that the conversation about a government shutdown can leave you with more questions than answers, and we want to discuss what this may look like for you and your families.

You can navigate to our website to read through some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you need to know.

How the government shutdown will affect you FAQ

Do you have questions about the government shutdown? We want to answer them. 

Do you have questions or concerns about the government shutdown? We understand that, and want to hear from you.

Submit Survey to Rep. AOC’s office

Our district offices will still be available to help NY-14 constituents and connect them with resources. Because of the furlough of federal workers at different agencies, casework inquiries may be delayed during a shutdown.

Myths vs. Facts About The Republican Manufactured Government Shutdown ⬇

Myth: Action can wait because the health care tax credits don’t expire until Dec. 31.
Fact: Health insurance companies are currently finalizing their monthly premium rates. This means that people will start to see an increased price when they go to buy insurance on the marketplace when open enrollment begins on November 1st. Notices have already begun going out and will continue throughout the month, letting people know that their premiums have skyrocketed – in some cases more than doubled. Millions will either be completely priced out of coverage or face soaring costs.

Myth: Democrats want over $1 trillion of new spending on health care for illegal aliens.
Fact: Undocumented individuals cannot purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act or receive Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

Myth: Democrats are taking $50 billion from rural hospitals.
Fact: The Big, Ugly Bill cut Medicaid by $1 trillion and made up 5 percent of those cuts with a slush fund controlled by Republican politicians. Unless Congress acts, 338 hospitals across the country are at risk of closing.

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Myth: The shutdown harms veterans.
Fact: Republicans are using veterans as a bargaining chip. New estimates show that 600,000 veterans will see health care premiums surge if we do not extend the health care tax credits Democrats are fighting to keep.

Myth: Democrats are forcing thousands of civil service employees to be fired.
Fact: This administration has already attempted to illegally fire hundreds of thousands of federal workers this year, many of whom they have had to hire back because they served critical government functions. Just last week, more than 4,000 federal employees received layoff notices as part of the Trump administration’s effort to reshape the government while it is shut down. The layoff notices had gone out to employees at the departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, and Treasury.

Some of the FAQs from the page linked above:

NY-14 constituents can call/leave a voicemail at 718-662-5970 with any questions.

DISCLAIMER: The following information is based on previous government shutdowns. It is important to note that the White House has discretion over which agencies continue operating during a shutdown; as of now, ICE, TSA, and other law enforcement agencies will remain operable. As more information becomes available, this page will be updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a federal government shutdown?

Congress has to pass 12 appropriations bills that fund all the different federal government agencies that provide everyday services to the American people before the end of the fiscal year. The federal government will run out of funds at the end of this fiscal year, September 30, 2025.

They can also pass a budget extension known as a continuing resolution, or CR, to keep the government open. If Congress does not pass either all the bills or a CR, the federal government runs out of money, and the government enters a shutdown. This year, because the House and Senate Republicans, as the governing majority, failed to ensure all of the 12 appropriations bills became law and refused to negotiate a CR with Senate Democrats, we expect there to be a government shutdown.

What government spending is impacted by a shutdown?

The government funds programs through two types of spending:

• Mandatory spending is authorized outside of the normal appropriations process for essential programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and should not be affected by a government shutdown.
• Discretionary spending is authorized by Congress through the annual appropriations process for programs like Pell Grants, housing assistance, and other benefits. These programs may see a sudden or gradual lapse of funding or be partially impacted in the event of a government shutdown.

Other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Postal Service, operate independently of government funding and will remain unaffected.  Details about specific programs are included below.

mpact on Government Benefits and Services

Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks?

Yes. You will continue to receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks. Local Social Security offices will remain open to the public but will provide reduced services. During this time, beneficiaries will still be able to:

• Apply for benefits
• Request an appeal
• Change their address or direct deposit information
• Report a death
• Verify or change their citizenship status
• Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
• Obtain a critical payment
• Change a representative payee
• Make a change in their living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
• Obtain a new or replacement Social Security card

I am on food assistance. Will my programs be affected?

Not immediately. Individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will continue to receive their October 2025 payments, even if there is a shutdown. If the shutdown lasts longer than 30 days, SNAP benefits could be delayed or interrupted entirely.

Benefits through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also should not be impacted if there is a short shutdown. However, if the shutdown lasts longer than a week, WIC benefits could be impacted.

Will I still be able to use my Medicaid and Medicare?

Yes. Medicare and Medicaid will not be impacted and benefits will continue as usual.

Will Federally Qualified Health Centers continue operating?

Yes. Federally Qualified Health Centers, also referred to as Community Health Centers, will continue their day-to-day operations uninterrupted.

While not related to the government shutdown, starting October 1, 2025, health centers will no longer receive reimbursement for telehealth services provided to individuals on Medicare. If you have Medicare and have a telehealth visit scheduled with your local health center on or after October 1, 2025, contact them ahead of your visit to confirm the location.

Will I still receive my mail? 

Yes, the U.S. Postal Service will remain operational.

I am a veteran, will my health care be impacted? How will other veterans’ services be impacted?

No, veterans’ health care will not be impacted by a shutdown. Benefits such as pension, education, and housing benefits will continue to be processed and delivered.

Access to some Veterans’ Affairs (VA) resources will be limited, including outreach, career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance. Regional VA offices, like the Bronx Vet Center, will close.

I am a member of the military.  How will the government shutdown affect me?

All active-duty military personnel will continue to carry out their assigned duties, but they will not receive pay until the government reopens and funds are appropriated.  Civilian personnel who are necessary to carry out expected activities will continue to work, but they will not be paid.  Any civilian personnel who are not considered essential will be furloughed.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Citizenship, green card, family petitions and work permits should still continue to be processed, though interviews and naturalization ceremonies may be delayed. Please note that law enforcement, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, will still be conducting arrests.

Will I still receive student loans?

Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, and federal aid will continue to be disbursed for now.

Do I still have to pay my student loans?

Yes, student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. Federal student aid employees will still be working during a government shutdown.

Banner Image: Rep. AOC gives away backpacks to children in Hunts Point as they head back to school. Image Credit – Rep. AOC