Rep. Chu: GOP Shutdown Jeopardizes Health Care for Millions

Rep. Judy Chu (File Photo – City of Pasadena, Nick Rivas)

In a released statement, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) placed full responsibility for the latest government shutdown on Republican leadership, accusing them of prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over affordable health care for millions of Americans.

By News Desk

“Republicans own this shutdown,” said Rep. Chu. “They control the House, the Senate, and the White House and yet they chose to shut down the government rather than protect affordable health care.”

Chu criticized the GOP for advancing a partisan spending bill that failed in the Senate, and for then blocking Democrats from introducing an alternative measure she described as “commonsense.” According to Chu, the Democratic proposal would have kept the government open while canceling health care cuts, lowering out-of-pocket costs, and preserving the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

She further condemned what she called the “Big Ugly Law“, Republican-backed legislation that she claims stripped $1.5 trillion from the health care system, removed 15 million Americans from insurance rolls, and weakened Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA. The law, she said, was designed to fund “massive tax cuts for billionaires.”

Chu warned that 24 million Americans could face premium hikes of up to 114% due to the expiration of ACA tax credits. In her own district, she stated that more than 61,000 residents would see premiums skyrocket and nearly 40,000 could lose their coverage entirely.

“This is a failure of leadership and a despicable betrayal of working Americans,” Chu said, noting that many families are already struggling with higher prices caused by the Trump administration’s tariffs.

Despite the shutdown, Chu emphasized that Democrats are willing to work across the aisle to reopen the government, lower health care costs, and support American families. However, she said they would not support “more chaos, destruction, and giveaways to the wealthy.”

Rep. Chu directed constituents to her official website (chu.house.gov/shutdown) for resources and updates during the shutdown, and encouraged them to reach out to her office for assistance.

“This is a sad day for America,” she concluded.