Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego wants fellow Democrats to focus on 1 issue in shutdown talks

PHOENIX – Democratic Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego thinks his party leaders should narrow their wish list to one item – health care subsidies – in their talks to avoid a government shutdown.

“The other stuff that I think my colleagues have demanded is ridiculous, and I just don’t think it’s even viable,” Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday.

Gallego said the top Democrat priority in the talks should be saving the earned tax credits that make health insurance purchased through Affordable Care Act marketplaces more affordable for millions of Americans.

As it stands, tens of thousands of Arizonans will see their premiums go up next year if the subsidies aren’t extended.

“Let’s work together on that, pass that budget, put those premium subsidies in there so Arizonans aren’t going to pay an extra $200, $300 starting in January,” he said. “I think that’s a good compromise. We keep government open, we get people to not end up having like a huge increase in the premiums, and we keep moving on.”

Ruben Gallego says health care subsidies can’t wait

Even if Democrats follow Gallego’s advice, it’s unclear whether Republicans are willing to change their budget proposal.

President Donald Trump canceled plans to meet with congressional Democratic leaders this week, refusing to negotiate over their demands.

The White House also told agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if a deal isn’t reached to avoid an Oct. 1 shutdown.

Gallego said he doesn’t think Republicans want to let premiums go up, and he said time is running out address the issue.

“We’re trying honestly to force the issue because this is one of the last times we have it before premiums just go up,” he explained. “And once they go up, if we try to get back to this in January, it doesn’t change. The premiums are there for a whole year … if we don’t act now.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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