McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, says $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $500 billion in Medicare spending are main issues dividing political parties over a threatened government shutdown at midnight.
During a call with reporters on Tuesday morning, Cuellar criticized Republicans for not being on Capitol Hill and said they were instead taking “a vacation” after House Speaker Mike Johnson recessed the chamber until Wednesday.
Cuellar whose South Texas border district spans from Laredo to Starr County, said he was in his Washington, D.C., office along with other House Democrats who returned to the Capitol during the recess to pressure GOP leaders to negotiate a bipartisan government funding bill.
“Myself and other Democrats, we’re here to find a compromise, to find a way forward where Democrats and Republicans work together, and where we put country before party,” said Cuellar, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
The biggest sticking issue leading to a shutdown has to do with Republican-proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, and to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare.
Cuellar says that in his district, 113,000 people would be affected to proposed cuts to subsidizing the ACA.
He also says a Republican proposal to lift taxes on tips under a certain amount, as well as overtime pay, would expire in three years, however proposed tax cuts for wealthier Americans would not.
Also at issue is $280 billion in proposed cuts in federal spending for school lunches, Meals on Wheels programs, and SNAP will hurt many families.
“I support the 2nd Amendment, but when they’re doing tax cuts for silencers at the same time they’re cutting school lunches and other health programs that’s not right. We can do better than that,” Cuellar said.
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, who also represents South Texas, wrote on X that he’s ready to work with Republicans.
“Republicans are in complete charge here, and have a responsibility to keep our government functioning for the people it serves. I am ready to work with anyone on funding that actually helps South Texas,” Gonzalez posted on X.
Gonzalez says 128,000 people in his district, which spans to the Gulf, will be affected by funding cuts to health care.
“I am committed to renewing the tax credits that make health care more affordable for our working families, seniors and veterans. If Congress doesn’t act now, monthly insurance costs will skyrocket up to $420 monthly for more than 100,000 South Texans,” Gonzalez posted on Facebook.
Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, of Texas, called Democrats threatened shut down “hypocrisy.”
“Democrats have proven just how far they are willing to go to undermine basic governance in order to appease their radical base. They would rather shut down the federal government than work for the American people,” Cornyn wrote in an email. “A government shutdown will hurt Americans across the country. … Republicans continue to be the party that opposes needless political tactics that put ideological concerns ahead of the needs of the American people.”
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, whose South Texas district stretches from the border to San Antonio, posted on her Facebook page: “The Schumer Shutdown will hurt families in our community. Care for our seniors, veterans, and Border Patrol are all on the line.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, were among top leaders who met unsuccessfully with President Trump on Monday to avert a government shutdown.
There have been at least 10 government shutdowns since 1980, according to House Archives. The last shutdown occurred during the first Trump administration and lasted for 34 days from Dec. 21, 2018 through Jan. 25, 2019. It is the longest shutdown to date.
Cuellar says if the government shuts down then essential workers, like law enforcement and Border Patrol agents will continue to work but would be paid after the shutdown is lifted.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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