Hinson blasts Democrats over shutdown demands; Ernst urges deal to keep government open

Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson blasted Democrats over demands to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and repeal spending cuts as Congress barrels toward a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.

Meanwhile Iowa GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst struck a more measured tone, saying she wants to keep health coverage in place and emphasized the need for compromise to keep the government open.

Hinson on Wednesday criticized Senate Democrats for "holding government funding hostage." She also spoke in support of tougher criminal penalties for assaults on federal immigration officers in the wake of a shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas.

A central sticking point in negotiations to avert a partial shutdown is whether to extend expiring health insurance subsidies that cap monthly insurance premiums for those who purchase health plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Democrats want the issue resolved in this month's funding bill, warning that delays could mean skyrocketing premiums as insurers set 2026 rates ahead of the Nov. 1 enrollment period. Republicans, however, argue the debate should wait until later this year, despite warnings from policy experts and even GOP pollsters that letting the subsidies lapse could trigger voter backlash.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has floated a compromise that includes extending the tax credits. But GOP leaders say they are committed to keeping the government open with a "clean" continuing resolution — only extending government funding at current levels for a short period to avoid a shutdown.

Other Republicans have balked at the expense of extending the enhanced subsidies, which are projected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over a decade. The enhanced subsidies were initially passed as temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some Republicans argue that the pandemic emergency is over and that the subsidies should be allowed to expire as originally intended.

Democrats have also proposed repealing Medicaid cuts included in Republicans' sweeping tax and spending bill signed into law by Trump this summer, and restoring spending rescissions that Republicans passed earlier this year.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, told reporters on her weekly press call that those demands are unrealistic as lawmakers face a Sept. 30 deadline to avert a partial government shutdown. She praised Trump for rejecting Democrats' proposals, and argued Republicans are focused on keeping government open.

"They're asking for $1.5 trillion in new spending," Hinson said. " … This is not a serious offer. The Senate Democrats have consistently warned that government shutdowns would hurt seniors, veterans and working families," but are now saying they'll force one unless Republicans green-light new spending.

Democrats, however, say allowing the ACA subsidies to expire would drive up health insurance costs for millions of Americans, including Iowans who buy coverage on the federal exchange. They also argue that reversing Medicaid cuts is necessary to protect access to care for low-income families.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, in a statement, accused Iowa's all-Republican congressional delegation of endangering health care access for thousands of Iowans.

"Iowa's Republican representatives are responsible for skyrocketing health insurance premiums, and now, they won't even come to the table with Democrats who are trying to lower costs for Iowa families," Hart said in a statement.

Hinson said she supports keeping the government open but accused Democrats of "using people as political pawns" in funding negotiations.

"I want to make sure Iowans have access to the health care they need, and it needs to be affordable," she said.

Hinson, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, said her priorities are passing individual appropriations bills that "respect taxpayers, rightsize many of these federal agencies and cut a lot of the waste, fraud and abuse out of our federal government."

Ernst emphasizes need for parties to come together

Ernst, who announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, struck a more measured tone during a visit to Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins, where she presented a "Small Business of the Week" award. Ernst emphasized the need for negotiation between Democrats and Republicans to ensure health coverage and government operations.

"Honestly, we're sorting through all of that right now, so I can't say one way or another, because we want to see what kind of deals that we can get prepared and ready to go and then have that negotiation between the Democrats and the Republicans," Ernst told reporters Wednesday.

"Bottom line, we want to make sure that people have coverage," she said. "Most certainly we want to do that. We also want to make sure the government stays open, and that's why (Senate Majority) Leader (John) Thune and (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer have got to come together. They've got to sit down, and they've got to start hashing this out."

Asked if are there any "red lines" for her in passing a stopgap spending bill or coming to a funding deal, Ernst said: "They're not ever hard lines. What we've got to figure out is what we can do best to serve our constituents and keep the government open. So I think there's still a lot of negotiations yet to happen."

As she prepares to leave office in 15 months, Ernst said her legislative priorities include passing a new farm bill; continuing her government efficiency initiative to cut waste, fraud and abuse; and advancing defense and national security measures. She said she also wants to ensure Iowa's farmers, Iowa National Guard members and rural communities remain central in policy debates.

Response to U.S. ICE facility shooting

Hinson opened her call by condemning the Wednesday morning shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas. A shooter with a rifle opened fire from a nearby roof, killing one detainee and wounding two others in a transport van before taking his own life, authorities said.

"We know assault on (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents) are up between 700% and 1,000% as we continue to see media smearing them, misinformation and the left's calls to strip their protective gear, you name it," Hinson said.

She pointed to legislation she introduced that would double federal penalties for assaulting, resisting or impeding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and employees. Hinson said she hopes to move the measure quickly through Congress and send it to Trump for his signature.

Maternal health legislation

In addition to shutdown talks and border security, Hinson highlighted bipartisan bills she is sponsoring on maternal and infant health. She said her HEALING Mothers and Fathers Act would extend parental leave protections to families who suffer a stillbirth, giving them time to grieve and recover. The bill aims to provide parents who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth with 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and establish a refundable federal tax credit.

"We know every year in our country thousands of families do face the unimaginable heartbreak of stillbirth," she said. "And behind every number or statistic is a mom, a dad, a family who is grieving a birthday that will never be, the dreams that will never come true, and a child who will always be loved and remembered."

She also introduced a House resolution to support prenatal screening for antiphospholipid syndrome, a treatable blood clotting disorder linked to miscarriages, stillbirths and pregnancy complications.

While such policies may not make headlines, they will make a difference for families across the country, Hinson said.

"'I'll keep fighting to bring hope for healthy moms and healthy babies," she said.