Statewide Iowa (RI) – The three candidates campaigning for the Iowa Democratic Party’s 2026 U-S Senate nomination are criticizing the deal that may end the federal government shutdown.
Eight Democrats joined Republican senators Sunday night on a vote to advance a plan to fund the government, and the Senate’s GOP leader promises a vote by the second week in December on the healthcare subsidies that have been the major sticking point in negotiations.
State Representative Josh Turek of Council Bluffs says the deal does not include protections for the Affordable Care Act subsidies that will expire for up to 125,000 Iowans on December 31st.
State Senator Zach Wahls of Coralville says Senate Democrats should not cave on something of this magnitude.
Nathan Sage of Indianola, a veteran and the former director of Knoxville’s chamber of commerce, says millions of Americans who depend on the healthcare subsidies face soaring healthcare premiums.
The three candidates spoke Sunday night at an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser. Rita Hart, the party’s chair, spoke with reporters after the event. She’s skeptical Republicans will ever vote to extend the health care subsidies.
During Sunday night’s fundraiser, Hart said Democrats won national races last week and in special legislative elections in Iowa this year by focusing on kitchen table issues.
Hart also announced that after a two-year effort, the party has filled local leadership roles in about a dozen counties and now has a chair in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. The crowd made cash donations for food banks last night, and the party plans to host events around the state to collect food for food banks and food pantries.
KIWA Staff Photo
