Letter to the editor: Trump blames shutdown on Republicans

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 11.13.25

Trump’s Bonanza for Billionaires Bill stripped healthcare tax credits from millions of Americans to give the richest 1% a $1 trillion tax cut. Republicans caused the longest shutdown in history when they voted down Democrats’ bill to keep government open and preserve healthcare credits. Americans blame Republicans because Republicans control the entire government. On Oct. 30, Trump agreed, asking, “why did the powerful Republicans allow” it?

Trump called the shutdown a “big, negative factor for Republicans” in their decisive nationwide election defeats on Nov. 4, including the Virginia and New Jersey governors’ races, the New York City mayor’s race and the California redistricting proposition.

Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) explained why Republicans are to blame: “We control the House, we control the Senate, we have the White House. You can use the nuclear option in the Senate” to end the filibuster. Greene added, “when the tax credits expire this year my own adult children’s insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE, along with all the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district.” Independent healthcare expert KFF.org says rates will soar 114%.

Republicans busted the filibuster three times this year: in May, to repeal California’s electric vehicle regulations; in July, to pass Trump’s budget bill; and in September, to confirm 48 of Trump’s nominees. They could do it again if they wanted to.

Terrified that Republicans will lose the House next year, Trump told Republicans: “Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW! WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN.’” When Senate Republicans refused, a frantic Trump warned, “Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!”

No elected NC Republican supports ending the filibuster. They would rather shut down the government than preserve Americans’ healthcare because NC Republicans like Rep. David Rouzer care more about tax cuts for billionaires.

Michael Maisel

Sunset Beach