The federal government shutdown uncovered rifts amongst Democrats in Maine : NPR

AUGUSTA, Maine — This week’s vote to finish the federal authorities shutdown sharply divided Congress alongside partisan traces. But the invoice to reopen the federal government was reliant upon Democratic lawmakers of each chambers who joined Republicans, exposing rifts inside the Democratic Celebration.

That political divide was clearly evident in Maine’s congressional delegation — and the public’s response to how they voted.

“Properly, Angus actually damage us in Maine,” mentioned Donna Doucette who, like many people in Maine, refers to Sen. Angus King by his first identify. King — an unbiased who caucuses with Democrats — was amongst eight minority social gathering senators who negotiated a cope with Republicans to reopen authorities.

Doucette was one in every of about two dozen protesters holding indicators alongside a busy avenue in Waterville on a current chilly and blustery November afternoon. The protesters, lots of whom are a part of the native Indivisible chapter, had been against the deal ending the federal government shutdown.

“I’ve supported him from the start and I feel he offered us out. Particularly once I’m retired, nonetheless coping with most cancers — I do not want that now. Nor does my husband, who’s even older than me,” she mentioned.

As a part of the deal, Senate Republicans promised a future vote on extending subsidies below the Inexpensive Care Act.

However critics say they betrayed the Democratic trigger by failing to safe an precise extension of the tax credit that roughly 20 million ACA customers depend on to decrease their premiums. With out congressional motion, the typical premium is anticipated to greater than double after December thirty first.

Some protesters introduced indicators calling King a coward. Cindy Burke mentioned he caved.

“We held out for 40 days, I feel, and I simply really feel that we bought nothing from it,” mentioned Burke. “And a promise to have a vote on the ACA, I do not imagine that’s going to occur. I do not belief the Republicans.”

A small delegation with a major cut up 

Maine’s four-person congressional delegation is without doubt one of the smallest within the nation. But their combined votes on the invoice to reopen the federal government replicate the nationwide divide over the fraught subject.

Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins blamed the shutdown on Democrats and Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer of New York. But as chairwoman of the highly effective Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins helped dealer the compromise that funds the federal government by January 30 and totally funds some businesses by September 30.

Maine Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, supported extending the ACA subsidies however blasted his social gathering’s shutdown technique. He forged one in every of his social gathering’s six Home votes to finish the shutdown.

His fellow Maine Democrat, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, views the compromise as a “capitulation,” significantly after the Democratic victories nationwide throughout the Nov. 4 election.

“Many people felt like there was a number of momentum behind us,” mentioned Pingree. “And the Republicans are feeling these issues. They’re dropping court docket battles and they’re getting the identical calls that we’re. We should always transfer them to a choice, not the promise of a vote.”

Angus King mentioned in an interview with Maine Public Radio earlier this week that he is shocked by the ferocity of the backlash, though he understands the sentiment.

“I perceive as a result of thousands and thousands of individuals on this nation are gravely frightened and offended and albeit scared about the way forward for their nation due to what Donald Trump is doing,” King mentioned. “I am with them. I have been to the ‘No Kings’ rallies right here in Maine.”

However King defended his determination, saying Republicans made clear they’d not negotiate on the ACA till the federal government reopened. Authorities shutdowns not often safe coverage concessions for the minority social gathering.

Though he helps extending the subsidies, King mentioned the shutdown harmed People — and empowered Trump. That is why King voted with Republicans greater than a dozen instances to keep away from or finish the shutdown.

“And I get it: individuals need some place to face up they usually felt this was it,” King mentioned. “But it surely’s backfiring in a way that it’s hurting lots of people with out getting what we would like.”

Independents play a key function in upcoming elections

It is unclear how shutdown partisanship will influence subsequent 12 months’s elections in Maine — a state the place 30 % of voters are independents. And Maine might play an outsized function in charge of Congress after 2026.

Golden is not looking for reelection in a Home district that Trump received twice, giving Republicans a chance to flip the seat. And the shutdown is already popping up within the heated Democratic major to problem Collins, one of many Senate’s most weak Republicans. Collins has not but introduced that she is operating for reelection, though she is aggressively fundraising.

“I need to reiterate my name for Chief Schumer to step down,” mentioned Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, a Marine Corps veteran and oysterman whose anti-establishment message has drawn big crowds, regardless of current controversy over previous on-line feedback and a tattoo widely known as a Nazi image. Platner has mentioned he did not understand the connection when he obtained the tattoo as a younger infantryman and not too long ago had it coated.

Platner denounced the shutdown deal, blaming Schumer — who opposed the deal however could not hold his social gathering unified towards it. However he additionally took a not-so-subtle jab at Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who was recruited by Schumer to run for the Senate.

“The governor has Chuck Schumer’s telephone quantity. She ought to give him a name and have a chat about that.”

For her half, Mills mentioned this week that she strongly disagrees with the deal to finish the shutdown.

“I recognize Senator King’s efforts right here, but it surely’s not going to work,” Mills mentioned on MSNBC. “The mere promise of taking it up, placing it on the calendar, speaking about it in December . . . Maine individuals cannot wait.”

Again in Waterville, protest organizer Karen Heck mentioned she’s annoyed — with King, together with her Democratic Celebration and with politicians, usually.

“I simply assume that most individuals are bored with a authorities that does not work for them,” Heck mentioned. “Whether or not that is a schism within the Democratic Celebration or not, I feel that this outdated system, the outdated system is just not working for us. And lots of people are offended about that.”

Heck added that she thinks individuals will demand a change — presumably beginning in subsequent 12 months’s primaries.