Our elected officials should work for us. Instead they seem to be taking their sweet time.
And now Congress made an incriminating move that left Americans red with rage.
Congress Heads Home Leaving Taxpayers on the Hook for Looming Crises
As lawmakers pack up for Christmas break, hardworking American taxpayers are left facing the consequences of Washington’s dysfunction, with Congress failing to address critical funding deadlines and healthcare costs that could spike premiums for millions starting January 1.
A short-term continuing resolution (CR) that ended a prolonged government shutdown earlier this year is set to expire on January 30, giving Congress just 24 days—and far fewer actual legislative days—upon return to prevent another disruptive shutdown that wastes resources and disrupts essential services.
Senate leaders had hoped to advance a package of appropriations bills before recess, but partisan gridlock stalled progress, highlighting the ongoing struggle to pass a responsible full-year budget.
Stalled Appropriations Risk Wasteful Spending Battles
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed frustration over the inability to move forward with regular order, a transparent process that allows input from both parties and protects taxpayer interests.
“When I became the majority leader, I made it very clear that I was committed to funding the government through the regular order of consideration of appropriations bills, not through an omnibus or long-term [continuing resolution], oftentimes written behind closed doors. The regular order process gives senators from both parties the fullest chance to make their voices and the voices of their constituents heard. Which is why I’m disappointed that we’ll not be moving to our second package of appropriations bills tonight. Republicans were ready to go. But, unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues are not there yet. Hopefully, they will get there,” Thune said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged the challenges but pushed for bipartisan compromise.
“Democrats want to get our work done to finish the bipartisan appropriations process. Our goal is a bipartisan bill that funds the government through fiscal year 2026. It will still take some time for us to work through our amendments so that we can finish the minibus in January … It’s not easy. Obstacles always remain. No side is going to get everything they want,” Schumer said.
Without timely action, taxpayers could face rushed, bloated omnibus deals loaded with unnecessary spending.
Healthcare Inaction Hits Families’ Wallets Hard
Enhanced Obamacare tax credits expire December 31, poised to drive up premiums by hundreds or thousands of dollars annually for many Americans—a direct hit to household budgets that could have been mitigated with proactive reforms.
Schumer blamed Republican resistance for the impending increases.
“Because of Republican total inaction on health care, huge damage has already been done, and nothing we do after January 1 can undo so much of that damage. As I’ve said before, the toothpaste is out of the tube. However you want to say it, the point is this — because of Republicans, it is now impossible, sadly, to prevent people from having to pay hundreds, if not thousands more, on their premiums next year. It’s going to start January 1.”
“Even if we can figure out a way to stop the bleeding next year, that’s a very big if, Republicans are still in shambles and have no plan themselves. For too many people, it’s going to be too late, because Republicans chose to let these ACA tax credits expire. They had an easy opportunity to join us in our three-year clean extension of the ACA credits, and they refused,” Schumer added.
As Congress enjoys the holidays, these unresolved issues remind taxpayers of the need for fiscal discipline and accountability to prevent unnecessary burdens on American families.
