This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 10 episode of “Morning Joe.”
America’s longest government shutdown may be nearing an end. On Sunday, a group of Senate Democrats cut a deal with Republicans that would fund the government through the end of January. Under the deal, Senate Majority Leader John Thune agreed to hold a December vote on a bill to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.
The deal has divided Democrats, with some arguing the party is folding too early and giving Republicans a political win. But it’s important to acknowledge that the Democrats succeeded in framing the issues of this shutdown. Thune would have never offered a vote on health care subsidies if Democrats had not stood strong for the past 40 days. Their pressure worked.
Are there disagreements within the party about how best to meet this moment? Yes, of course. But while the Democrats are having good-faith debates about how to end the shutdown and deliver for the American people, you know what the Republicans are fighting about? They’re fighting about whether or not they should platform Nazis.
For the American people, it’s very clear what the Democrats are fighting for and what they’re fighting against.
During this shutdown, Donald Trump was tearing down the White House and figuring out ways to get tax breaks to billionaires. Democrats were fighting to pay federal workers, to keep food on the American people’s tables and to lower health care costs for all Americans.
But that fight isn’t over. Remember, the government can be shut down again in January. By cutting this deal now, Democrats have given the American people a bit of peace during the holiday season. Families can be reunited and make wonderful memories together, without fears over safe skies or worries about getting food on their table.
The Democratic Party should look at this moment as an opportunity to make it crystal clear to the American people who’s looking out for them. By agreeing to end the shutdown and to ensure a vote for health care subsidies, Democrats are putting an enormous amount of political pressure on Republicans.