Sen. Murray defends her shutdown stance, amid looming health care cost increases

Kim Malcolm

John O'Brien

November 20, 2025 / 6:09 pm

Congress is back at work after the longest federal government shutdown ever that was triggered when Senate Democrats refused to approve a spending plan amid a standoff over expiring health care subsidies. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray talked to KUOW’s Kim Malcolm about what happened and what comes next.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Kim Malcolm: A handful of Democratic senators joined with majority Republicans to vote to reopen the government. They said the nationwide flight restrictions and the suspension of food benefits were just doing too much harm. You disagreed and voted against that move. Why?

Sen. Patty Murray : We

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