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Rep. Bera calls for action to end shutdown, protect healthcare
The Indian American lawmaker urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene Congress and extend ACA subsidies before costs soar.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 10, Oct 2025
- 14:45 EDT
- 23
Ami Bera / Screengrab from press conference
U.S. Representative Ami Bera,(CA-06) on Oct. 8 called on congressional leaders to immediately reopen the federal government and act to preserve Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that help millions of Americans afford health insurance.
Speaking at a press conference from his District Office in Sacramento, Bera urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House of Representatives and pass a bipartisan measure to keep the government functioning and extend ACA subsidies critical to 24 million Americans, including 28,000 residents of California’s Sixth Congressional District.
Also Read: Who's to blame for the shutdown? All of the above, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Covered California’s renewal period begins on Oct. 15, and residents have begun receiving notices warning of sharp premium increases if Congress fails to act before year-end. Bera cited a 60-year-old couple in Sacramento County earning $82,800 annually who could see their premiums rise by 628 percent — or $23,568 more out of pocket.
“At a time when so many Sacramento County families are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, or put food on the table, to then get hit with the double whammy of these increases makes no sense,” he said.
Speaking on the eighth day of the federal shutdown, Bera warned that “nobody wins a government shutdown — Democrats don’t win, Republicans don’t win, but the American people are the ones that lose.”
He described its local impact, from small business owners worried about rising costs to students whose trips to Washington, D.C., are disrupted by federal closures.
The congressman also pointed to broader effects, including delayed services at the VA and IRS, air traffic controller shortages, and furloughed federal employees missing paychecks. He confirmed he is forgoing his salary during the shutdown, saying, “It’s not fair to ask folks to show up at work and not get paid.”
Bera further warned that troops could miss paychecks if the impasse continues beyond Oct. 13, urging congressional leaders to act swiftly.
“Speaker Johnson, let’s get back to the negotiating table. Let’s reopen the government. Let’s make sure our troops get their pay and salary increases. And let’s get the government working again,” he said.
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