Vern Buchanan urges end to shutdown in letter blasting Democrats

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is stepping up his calls to end the one-month government shutdown, leading a letter from Florida Republicans urging Senate Democratic leaders to approve a House-passed spending plan and reopen the government.

The Longboat Key Republican, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, accused Senate Democrats of blocking a “clean continuing resolution” that would pay federal workers, restore food assistance and restart key health programs.

The letter, signed by 17 other members of Florida’s GOP delegation, blames Democrats for “holding government funding hostage” in pursuit of what they call a “reckless $1.5 trillion partisan spending package.”

“Floridians and Americans deserve a government that puts them above politics,” the lawmakers wrote. “It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop holding government funding hostage and join House Republicans to reopen the government.”

The shutdown, now entering its fifth week, began after Congress failed to reach a spending deal at the start of the fiscal year. Negotiations are continuing, but partisan divisions over health care policy and overall spending levels remain unresolved.

The letter says the Democratic proposal includes “taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants,” though the text of the Senate Democrats’ continuing resolution — filed mid-September as S. 2882 — contains no such provision. The Democratic bill continues existing health and nutrition programs and extends dozens of Medicare and Medicaid policies but does not create any new eligibility for undocumented immigrants.

Republicans have pointed to state programs that do provide some health care coverage to undocumented migrants. But those are largely paid for via state money, and federal reimbursement is aimed at paying for emergency coverage, which is required for any patient regardless of legal status per a federal law passed in 1986.

In the Democrats’ plan, the largest health provision makes permanent the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits first expanded during the pandemic, which apply only to legally present individuals and American residents buying insurance through the federal marketplace.

The Democratic measure would also maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding and set Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) funding at an $8.2 billion annualized rate “to ensure continuity of benefits.” It extends the “Hospital at Home” program but only through Oct. 31, 2025, according to the bill text.

However, Buchanan said the standoff has left about 150,000 federal workers in Florida without pay and cut off SNAP and WIC benefits for nearly 3 million residents. He also raised concerns about the “Hospital at Home” program, which he said has been halted because of Democratic inaction.

Buchanan’s Office said he does not support including the expiring health care subsidies in a short-term funding bill. His spokesperson said the Congressman “will be open to a conversation about next steps for the expiring ACA subsidies once Democrats stop grandstanding and vote to reopen the government.”

In an op-ed published before the shutdown, Buchanan argued that the subsidy extensions were “a crisis of Democrats’ own making” and that a short-term funding bill “is not the appropriate vehicle to solve it.” He said Democrats are “insisting on a rushed, partisan process” instead of negotiating “durable, bipartisan solutions” to lower costs and improve health care access.

Buchanan further pressed his case during a tour of the Food Bank of Manatee on Tuesday, where he met with staff and volunteers responding to increased demand for food aid as federal benefits remain frozen. He later joined the organization’s emergency drive-through food distribution at Dream Church in Bradenton, where he delivered food to local residents and held a press conference highlighting the shutdown’s impact on local families who rely on SNAP.

The Congressman also pledged to donate his pay from the last month to the Food Bank and emphasized his support for the No Budget, No Pay Act, which would block members of Congress from receiving pay during future shutdowns. Buchanan did not confirm the dollar amount of his donation.

“With SNAP benefits delayed, our local food banks are picking up the slack,” Buchanan said. “Nearly 3 million people across Florida and 40,000 people right here in Manatee County rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. Organizations like the Food Bank of Manatee do incredible work, but they cannot shoulder this burden alone.”

Maribeth Phillips, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Manatee and Meals on Wheels PLUS, thanked Buchanan for visiting the distribution site. 

“Congressman Buchanan’s participation brings a spotlight on food insecurity in Manatee and the importance of our programs, especially now with SNAP benefits paused affecting thousands in Manatee County, including babies, children, families and seniors,” she said in a statement.