Gov.-elect comes out in opposition to deal to end shut down, joining both New Jersey senators

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, who was elected last week and serves as a member of the House of Representatives, issued a statement just after 8 p.m. Sunday slamming a deal to end the federal shutdown that does not restore funding for Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.

“I ran for office to deliver for New Jerseyans, even in the face of Washington leadership that keeps failing people,” Sherrill said.

“Last week we won with a broad coalition after laying out a plan that takes bold action on costs, despite political pressure and people saying it couldn’t be done,” Sherrill said. “Voters made it clear: The American people want leadership with a backbone. And at a critical moment when they need leaders to stay strong under pressure, the Senate is on the brink of caving on a bill that the American people can’t afford.”

Sherrill said if the deal passes, it will lead to New Jerseyans paying far more for their health care when they are already paying more and more for everything.

“Making this deal is malpractice,” she said. “We have more than 9 million people in New Jersey who are counting on us to fight for them, and instead, Washington is putting them in harm’s way. Not on my watch.”

A group of Senate Democrats reached a deal with Republicans to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which has now hit the 40-day mark.

Senators planned to vote Sunday night on advancing a House-passed stopgap funding bill that funds the government through January 2026. The bill needs 60 votes to pass. Republicans convinced at least eight Democrats to support the move, according to Senate aides.

The senators made a deal with the understanding that the bill would be amended to combine a short-term funding measure with a package of three full-year appropriations bills. The amended package would still have to be passed by the House of Representatives. President Donald Trump would also have to sign the legislation. The process could take several days.

On Sunday, Trump voiced his opposition to continuing to fund the Affordable Care Act. He has long sought to get rid of it. He falsely claimed on Sunday that former President Barack Obama collected royalties for Obamacare. Trump said he would support healthcare subsidies being sent directly to consumers, but has not provided any details on a plan or how it would be funded.

The bill does not include health insurance subsidies. In exchange for some Democrats supporting the bill, Senate Republicans will allow a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key Democratic priority, as well as other compromises on funding levels and federal worker back pay.

“I can’t support this bill. It doesn’t meet the urgency of the moment and deliver actual relief that can pass both chambers of Congress. I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” Kim said.

“Trump and Republican leaders created this crisis, and they’ve only used it to make things worse for working families by withholding food assistance for millions for their own political gain,” Kim said. “This fight isn’t over, and I’m going to continue to stand with so many who are being hurt.”

Booker said he won’t support a bill that raises costs and jeopardizes health care for New Jersey residents. “I will not let up in this fight,” he said. “I will vote no.”

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez noted on social media Sunday evening that the average monthly SNAP benefit is $177 a person, but the average ACA benefit is up to $550 a person per month.

“People want us to hold the line for a reason,” she said. “This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives. Working people want leaders whose word means something.”