The longest federal government shutdown ended last week when eight Democratic Senators struck a deal with Republicans to re-open the government. Their deal did not include an extension of healthcare subsidies that the Democrats had been fighting for. To talk about what this means for folks on the healthcare marketplace and for the Democratic party, host Ali Muldrow is joined by political analyst and friend of the show, Angela Lang.

Lang says people really stepped up to support furloughed government employees and families who lost SNAP benefits during the shutdown. But mutual aid shouldn’t have to fill the gap when our tax dollars have already been allocated to support food assistance programs like SNAP. 

“What is the point of shutting down for over 40 days just to end up with nothing? If you’re going to take a stand for something, see it through,” says Lang. We’re in a really dystopian place if we’re pitting healthcare against food. Lang wants to hold Democrats accountable for the state we’re in, but says we also have to hold Republicans and billionaires accountable. She envisions a “big tent” democratic party that works to build a government that serves everyday people. 

Angela Lang was born and raised in the heart of Milwaukee. She has an extensive background in community organizing. Angela has served as both an organizer and State Council Director for the Service Employees International Union, working on such campaigns as the Fight for 15. Before joining BLOC’s team as Executive Director, Angela was the Political Director with For Our Future Wisconsin.

Featured image of a lock superimposed on the White House via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).

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