“A Bad Deal”: Rep. Brad Sherman Criticizes Senate Vote to End Government Shutdown

Washington, DC - In the wake of the Senate’s vote to end the weeks-long federal government shutdown, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) sharply criticized the agreement, calling it “a bad deal” that threatens to dramatically increase healthcare costs for millions of Americans.

Sherman, who announced he will vote against the package when it reaches the House, warned that the proposal would lead to “the healthcare premiums of 22 million people [doubling] or even [tripling].” He added that the Senate’s pledge to later hold a vote on healthcare affordability is “irrelevant,” arguing that such a measure would never be brought to the floor in the House.

“A promise to hold a vote on healthcare premiums in the Senate is irrelevant, since Speaker Mike Johnson won’t allow a vote in the House,” Sherman said per the Los Angeles Daily News.

The shutdown, poised to end after becoming the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, began after a standoff over healthcare provisions tied to the government funding bill.

While Senate negotiators reached a deal to reopen federal agencies, critics like Sherman say the compromise extracts concessions that could significantly burden working families.

Supporters of the package, meanwhile, argue that reopening the government is paramount and that further negotiations on healthcare can continue in the weeks ahead.