Rep. Balint speaks to WCAX on healthcare debate during government shutdown

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - As the government shutdown drags into another week, how long are Democrats willing to hold the line on healthcare?

Democrats, who do not control a majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, are using the shutdown as a way to bring Republicans to the negotiating table on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Republicans are urging Democrats to vote to fund the government, and then negotiate on healthcare later this fall.

Vermont’s Representative Becca Balint says congressional Republicans are not willing partners, and that they have given up the power of the purse to the president. “Right now we don’t have an actual legitimate partner to work with, who stick to the agreements we have. They have run roughshod over all of the agreements. We w