The Politics Hour: Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks on the local impact of the shutdown

U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) joined the show to discuss the federal shutdown, as it drags on with no apparent end in sight. The Trump administration is continuing to lay off federal employees, while threatening to terminate thousands more. Maryland's and Virginia's congressional delegations gathered together this week to urge the White House to stop the federal cuts and end the government shutdown.Democrats are holding out for a spending bill that includes a permanent extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As Americans begin shopping for health care coverage, Sen. Alsobrooks said time is running out for Congress to extend health care tax credits.People can sign up for 2026 coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace starting November 1st. Sen Alsobrook said that’s why Democrats won’t pass a spending bill now and negotiate healthcare later, as Republicans want."We do not have time because those escalating costs are taking place beginning now. People are beginning to see the increase in their premiums," she said. "Many people will be getting notices about the escalating increases that will happen next year. So, those affordable care tax credits happen now."She said premiums will nearly double for millions of Americans, and four million will lose healthcare entirely without an extension of healthcare tax credits.Continued federal cuts have already put the region on edge. A prolonged federal shutdown has many worried that a regional economic slowdown —or even a recession —may be on the horizon. Clark Mercer, who leads the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, discusses how the shutdown is straining the local economy and budgets.While Mercer noted some bright spots, he said the region is facing strong economic headwinds."This does not take an economist when the biggest company in town starts cutting tens, if not hundreds of thousands of jobs and contractors, it's gonna have a ripple effect on the economies where that company sits," he said.Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org