WASHINGTON, D.C. – Central Illinois’ Democratic Congressman is standing behind his vote on Wednesday on the bill to reopen the government after a six week shutdown.
“I’m thankful that we are able to push pause, but also, I am proud of the fact that I voted hell no,” said 17th District Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Moline).
Sorensen addressed his vote to media members on Thursday, saying that nothing was done in the bill to address concerns people have. He says those include people worried about SNAP benefits and getting their LINK cards to work, furloughed or fired federal employees, and addressing rising healthcare costs.
Sorensen took a harsh tone with the Trump administration, who he called “corrupt,” and Republicans for what he claimed is their efforts to keep the shutdown going in an effort of “making people suffer.”
Sorensen says Republicans also have no plans to fix healthcare concerns, and will not even negotiate with Democrats on solutions, which he says could lead to another shutdown occurring.
“We’re going to go into next year, and we’re going to be in the same pace in January. That we’re not going to find ways, that the Republican party isn’t going to invite us to the table, to find out how we’re going to meet in the middle,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen also addressed recent comments from neighboring colleague, Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap), about his plan to vote no on Affordable Health Care Act subsidies, which was a sticking point in the shutdown debate. Sorensen says he and LaHood want healthcare costs to come down, but solutions on how to do it need to be discussed.
Comments