October 1, 2025/Media, Press

NCDP Statement on Washington Republicans Shutting Down the Government, Voting Against Lower Costs

In response to Washington Republicans shutting down the federal government instead of fixing the health care crisis they created, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton released the following statement:

“Let this sink in – Washington Republicans would rather shut down the government than fix the health care crisis they created for North Carolina families. Thanks to their toxic budget and reckless tariffs, costs are already too high – and they’re about to make things worse by driving up health care premiums by double or more for millions of Americans.

“Michael Whatley – true to the DC insider he is – has sided with Washington Republicans, cheering on their shutdown and higher health care costs. But this is no surprise after he called gutting health care and raising costs for families a ‘huge win.’ Whatley doesn’t care about North Carolina families – he cares about billionaires and special interests. We can’t let Michael Whatley anywhere near the U.S. Senate.”

After Republicans refused to work with Democrats to extend the ACA premium tax subsidy, North Carolinians could see their monthly health insurance double.

  • New estimates show out-of-pocket premiums could increase by 114% once the extended ACA subsidies expire. 
  • 22 million Americans rely on the subsidies.
  • Republicans have refused to consider efforts that would fund the government and extend the subsidies.

Michael Whatley has backed efforts to raise costs on hardworking North Carolina families, from health care to groceries:

  • Whatley supports Washington Republicans’ government shutdown that will raise health care premiums starting in January.
  • Whatley championed the toxic GOP budget that guts Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians and spikes energy bills, all to give billionaires a tax break. He called it a “huge win” and said he would have voted for it “in a heartbeat.”
  • Even as they drive up grocery prices and hurt small businesses, Whatley defended Trump’s tariffs, claiming they were “record-setting.” He even falsely claimed costs are down.
  • Whatley opposed Medicaid expansion, which helped more than 675,000 North Carolinians get access to health care.

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