[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 176 (Thursday, October 23, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S7728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                S. 3012

  Mr. OSSOFF. Mr. President, the Senate remains at an impasse over the 
renewal of soon-to-expire health insurance premium tax credits under 
the Affordable Care Act. Americans' health insurance premiums will 
skyrocket in 2026 unless the Congress acts to renew these subsidies. 
Time is running out to solve this problem. The enrollment period for 
next year's insurance plans opens in just 9 days. The Trump 
administration's intransigent refusal to work across the aisle to 
negotiate a solution has resulted in the ongoing government shutdown.
  During this shutdown, military servicemembers, air traffic 
controllers, and TSA employees are among those who simply must come to 
work despite the lapse in congressional appropriations. They should be 
paid for that work. That is why today I voted to proceed to 
consideration of S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act, sponsored by the 
Senator from Wisconsin. Senators from both parties should work together 
to ensure payment of military servicemembers and others in critical 
roles, including controllers, TSA workers, and those working at 
Georgia's CDC. Debate of this bill should include an amendment process 
to improve the bill, including by limiting the President's unilateral 
authority to determine which Federal workers are paid and which are 
not. Such authority could be abused by an executive determined to pay 
favored Federal workers and deny disfavored Federal workers pay without 
regard for congressional appropriations.

                          ____________________