By Paul Bean
The Vermont Democrats publicly criticized Governor Phil Scott yesterday morning (10/6) for his recent call for a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to end the ongoing government shutdown, accusing Governor Scott of “side-stepping his responsibility to stand up for Vermonters.”
“While our congressional delegation is in Washington fighting to protect tens of thousands of Vermonters from losing access to healthcare, Governor Scott is offering no solutions,” says Vermont Democratic Party Executive Director May Hanlon in a written statement posted to Facebook.
“As a Republican in Vermont, who has served in both the legislative and executive branches, I know how difficult it can be to reach across the aisle to build trust and cooperation, and how much it irritates activists and ideologues in both parties,” said Governor Phil Scott in his letter to congressional leaders. “I also know it can be done well and that it delivers better results for the people we serve.”
The Democrats accused Scott of aligning with President Donald Trump’s agenda, warning that his proposal could jeopardize health care access for Vermonters. Supporters of the government shutdown argue that the changes in Medicaid are mostly in the application process, not in eligibility. Vermonters may have to verify their eligibility more often.
“He advocated for a ‘clean’ continuing resolution, or temporary funding bill, that would allow Trump to continue implementing his agenda & rip health care from Vermonters,” the party posted on X, with a series of images outlining their take on Governor Scott’s letter.
One statement reads, “Vermont Democrats believe that we must put people ahead of politics. It’s clear about where hyper-partisan extremism is coming from. Republicans in Congress and Donald Trump, Donald Trump and his extremist allies have chosen to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect Vermonters.”
Another image cites data from the Agency of Human Services, estimating that Scott’s approach could cut health care access for 46,000 Vermonters, a figure touted by all three congressional leaders.
“The Republican budget will mean that the price of health care premiums will spike for millions of Americans,” the statement continues, “Vermonters are already paying some of the highest prices in the world, and under Donald Trump and his Republican enablers, basic health care will no longer be affordable.”
“Democrats showed up to negotiate and stop a shutdown while defending healthcare. Republicans refused, and Phil Scott has chosen — once again– to side-step his responsibility for Vermonters,” writes Hanlon. We need real leaders who understand what’s at stake and are willing to fight for the people they serve. Phil Scott has shown that he is not the leader that this moment requires.”
“A government shutdown helps no one – except the political parties – because it weakens trust in Congress, burdens families and communities, and deepens divisions,” says Governor Scott’s full letter to congressional leaders. “The founders of our Republic warned of the dangers of these divisions. President Washington, in his Farewell Address, cautioned that partisan factionalism would ‘distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration,’ as well as inciting dangerous animosity among the public and inviting foreign corruption.”
Governor Scott continued in his letter with historical warnings of division from early Presidents, writing, “President Lincoln reminded us that ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand.’ These warnings – issued long before America’s politics could be corroded by the partisan weaponization of cable, the internet and social media – speak directly to our present and it is my most sincere hope that you will heed them on this issue and others.”