Former President Donald Trump is making the moves to change the game. He is calling on GOP senators to repurpose the federal money they are spending through their implementation of the ACA into direct payments to those individuals. His proposal has come at just the right time. The longer the U.S. government shutdown, over a month so far, the more it’s impacting every sector — particularly air travel, which is already being hit hard.
In a particularly surprising recent statement, on being elected, Trump said it was time to end the huge federal funding of healthcare. He suggested that billions intended for insurance corporations should be sent directly to residents instead. This action strikes at the primary financial pressure point of the ACA, or Obamacare. He believes it has crippled the Democrats. Notably, he is trying to address a big part of the underlying problem that has caused today’s government shutdown. In doing so, he aims to bring Republican lawmakers on board.
“I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over.” – Donald Trump
Ongoing Government Shutdown
The government shutdown has had a terrible impact on many aspects of everyday life in the U.S., including leading to thousands of flight cancellations. By day two of these government-mandated cuts, airlines had canceled about 1,460 flights. With millions of travelers set to hit the skies this Thanksgiving, analysts say additional cancellations would worsen an already fraught travel experience.
We know that Republican senators have worked, at least until this weekend, with due diligence to find a compromise that would end the shutdown. Senators Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott and Bill Cassidy expressed ecstatic enthusiasm for Trump’s plan on healthcare. This is the first sign that there may be consensus among GOP members on this major, make-or-break priority. This conversation has become more urgent than ever with the ongoing political impasse over the ACA and its provisions.
Tariff Impacts and Concerns
In addition to healthcare discussions, Trump’s administration has implemented tariffs on steel imports that are affecting a wide range of products. The tariffs target periphery china made products such as Ikea furniture parts, or German farm implements. Industry leaders in Europe are upset over the growing list of “steel derivatives” that are being subjected to these tariffs.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has received petitions to add nearly 700 additional items to its tariff list. This inclusion, motivated by the steel content of these products, has raised alarm bells among European producers, who fear significant economic impact. As these tariffs go into effect, their impact will be felt on everything from bicycles to baking trays.
A Call for Action
It’s not just economic policies that spell good news for the environment under Trump. The Department of Homeland Security and White House recently released a video clip on their official Instagram accounts, encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S. The kiosks and most prominently, this new initiative’s song by Olivia Rodrigo, underscores the administration’s continued obsession with bad immigration policy.
As the shutdown continues to unfold and flight cancellations increase, the concern – here at home and abroad – is reaching a fever pitch. The intersection of healthcare reform discussions and advancing trade policies is making for a confusing time for lawmakers and citizens to navigate.