Sullivan must answer for his refusal to show up for a vote to undo the damage of his bill, which let expanded ACA tax credit subsidies expire and will spike health care premiums for Alaskans.

ANCHORAGE, AK – It’s been five days since Dan Sullivan refused to show up for the government funding vote – which would prevent a catastrophic spike in health care costs – and Alaskans have heard nothing but five days of silence from Sullivan.

Alaska’s other U.S. Senator, Lisa Murkowski, was in attendance and voted against the measure. Sullivan must answer for why he failed to do his job as a U.S. Senator and show up to vote on the effort to extend the expanded ACA tax credit subsidies. 

Statement from Chair Eric Croft of the Alaska Democratic Party:

“When given the chance to undo some of the damage of the Big, Bullshit Bill he passed that will spike health care premiums and jeopardize affordable health care, Dan Sullivan couldn’t even bother to show up. Sullivan’s refusal to be in D.C. to vote for lower health care costs and prevent a government shutdown – and his five days of silence since – is an insult to Alaskans. Dan Sullivan might think he can escape his job responsibilities, but Alaskans will not be able to escape the higher health care costs and devastating impacts of Sullivan’s agenda.”

Alaska Beacon: “U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, was absent from both votes. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voted against both proposals.”

NPR: “A competing plan offered by Democrats, which would pair government funding with additional dollars for health care, also failed by a vote of 47 to 45 […] They say millions of people who rely on expanded federal subsidies as part of the Affordable Care Act are at risk of losing their health care coverage if Congress fails to act.”

NBC News: “The measure backed by Democrats in both chambers would have funded the government through Oct. 31 with a series of policy add-ons. It would permanently extend Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, as well as reverse Medicaid cuts enacted in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”