General Discussion

included in the American Rescue Plan, and they were scheduled to expire this year unless extended. But there was never any way in Hell the GOP was going to agree to extend the existing subsidies past their expiration date; they've been trying to kill the ACA one way or another since it was passed. Was the reason for the shutdown to hold the GOP's feet to the fire they've always been willing to burn theselves up in? It's much harder to take away an existing benefit than it is to provide it in the first place, but evidently they would have been willing to keep the government shut down indefinitely, notwithstanding all the inevitable harm to millions of people and the economy in general. My question is, why did that handful of Dem senators finally agree to the funding bill? Was it the recognition that the GOP would gladly set the economy on fire and starve a few million children before they'd extend the ACA subsidies? Do they think some compromise extension can be negotiated? Some other reason? Cui bono? I'd like to understand, if someone can enlighten me.