It was Democrats’ choice to have Obamacare subsidies expire

Re “Democrats were on a roll, so why pull back?” (Nov. 11): It has been widely acknowledged that a major reason Democrats wished to extend the government shutdown was to bolster their chances in the 2026 elections. That politicians of both parties prioritize politics in considering the national welfare is quite sad. It is ironic in this case that a major sticking point was additional, new Obamacare subsidies which were passed in 2021 during the pandemic by the Biden administration when Democrats controlled Congress. That they were required to expire by law is a Democratic creation.

— Thomas W. Schoene, La Jolla