U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois says some of her constituents will pay double for health insurance if Congress doesn’t vote to extend a subsidy program that helps pay for premiums.

The issue is at the heart of the federal government shutdown , now in its second week.

Democrats in Congress have held off voting on a spending bill unless legislators agree to again approve the tax credits for people who buy insurance on healthcare.gov.

That’s the marketplace where people who don’t receive employer health benefits or who don’t have Medicaid or other government-supported plans can buy health insurance.

Budzinski, a Democrat whose 13th District comprises much of the Metro East, says people in her district can’t handle higher health care costs along with higher food and energy bills.

See Full Page