National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the United States, is disappointed that the Democratic Party failed to stand strong together in demanding that Republicans restore desperately needed health care subsidies for working people as a condition of agreeing to reopen the federal government — essentially making the tremendous suffering of tens of millions of Americans and federal workers over the past month all in vain. Politicians from both political parties are treating working-class people as pawns, not human beings, in their fight for power — completely dismissing people’s very real need for health care and further devastating our already broken system. We urge the U.S. House of Representatives to vote no on this backdoor deal made by a few, who are failing to listen to what the American people are asking of our elected leaders.

We called for a fair deal that would have restarted the government, ensured backpay to all federal workers and contractors, and immediately issued SNAP benefits to those in need. We believe that any deal must also fight for the needs of all working people, including reversing the looming Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care cost hikes that will force millions of families to choose between going to the doctor or buying groceries. 

When eight Democrats caved and decided to vote with Republicans in exchange for zero concrete gains on their proposals to expand subsidies for ACA tax credits and ensure millions of Americans get the health care they need, their actions underscored what nurses and the U.S. electorate already know to be true: The Democratic Party fails to effectively represent the interests of all working people and provide for our most basic needs while it remains under corporate control. 

The Republicans caused our current health care crisis by stealing nearly a trillion health care dollars from Medicaid and eliminating ACA subsidies, giving that money to billionaires and corporations as permanent tax cuts and increasing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to continue terrorizing our communities. All this following the firing of federal workers, stripping union rights away from nurses at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and cutting programs that protect public health — as part of the larger plan to prioritize billionaires over working-class people. 

Congress will never act to reverse this damage unless forced to do so. 

The shutdown created a moment for real change, but the eight Democrats who voted for the Senate deal chickened out, and Democratic leadership failed to hold the party together to use their leverage in a meaningful way.

Despite the failures of the billionaire-backed politicians, NNU nurses will continue to organize and support elected leaders who will fight for all working people and continue to fiercely advocate for our patients as we head into the 2026 midterm elections. We will continue fighting to win a truly transformative Medicare for All system that will guarantee all people health care as a human right. We believe a better future is possible, but working people must push it forward. 

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.