Palm Desert residents protest shutdown outside Republican congressman's office

The U.S. government is shut down, but democracy is still in operation.

Some democrats and community members in Palm Desert rallied outside Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert's office, blaming him for causing the U.S. government shutdown.

"Republicans own that shutdown," Democrats of the Desert President Marcie Maxwell said. "They own the White House. They own the Senate. They own the House. Calvert owns this shutdown."

Democrats want Republicans to reverse Medicaid cuts they pushed through in the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill."

About three dozen protestors with signs lined Fred Waring Drive outside Calvert's office. They're calling on the Republican from the 41st District to break ranks and side with Democrats on protecting health care subsidies.

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