Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after House passage of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. Instead of responsibly using a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open, House Republicans chose to surrender Congress’ constitutional power of the purse to the Trump administration and push through reckless, unconstitutional cuts to Congressionally-approved spending. They also refused to work with Democrats to protect Americans’ access to affordable health care, putting millions of families at risk.
“House Republicans have once again failed to negotiate a bipartisan agreement that puts the needs of the American people first. Democrats have been clear that we would support a bipartisan spending plan that strengthens health care, invests in public health, and helps families make ends meet.
“Trump and Congressional Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill will already result in more than 15 million people losing healthcare. An additional four million Americans are also at risk of losing health care coverage at the end of the year if Congress fails to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, with 24 million Americans likely to see premiums skyrocket. Instead of addressing this crisis, House Republicans and President Trump are playing with people’s lives.
“Today’s partisan resolution fails to fix the health care crisis of their own making. It allows Trump and Kennedy to continue dismantling our health care system by ending life-saving research, including for children battling cancer, and weakening essential public health infrastructure, from disease prevention programs to vaccine distribution.
“I could not support a continuing resolution that jeopardizes the well-being of millions of Americans. Families are already facing soaring premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, while hospitals, nursing homes, and community clinics are on the brink of closure. This CR does nothing to lower costs, expand care, or strengthen our health system. Their actions are reckless, morally indefensible, and put partisan politics above people’s lives.
“With Republicans controlling the House, Senate, and White House, any government shutdown will fall squarely on their shoulders. If a government shutdown happens, it will be because they chose political theater over the health, safety, and security of the American people. My Democratic colleagues and I will never be complicit in that failure.
“I will continue fighting for a real, bipartisan solution that strengthens health care, supports our communities, and puts our nation’s working families first.”
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Issues: 119th Congress