Mississippi Democrats warn of ‘catastrophe’ as midnight shutdown looms

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Democrats issued an urgent warning Tuesday as the federal government neared a midnight deadline without a funding deal, saying a shutdown would devastate health care access, federal services, and working families across the state.

Party leaders placed the blame squarely on former President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans, and Mississippi’s GOP delegation — U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with Reps. Trent Kelly, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell — for refusing to back an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid protections.

Potential Impacts in Mississippi

If Congress fails to act, Democrats said:

Up to 41% of Department of Health and Human Services employees could be furloughed, halting CDC, NIH, and disease surveillance work.

• Telehealth access for seniors could end abruptly.
• Millions of Americans may lose enhanced ACA premium tax credits, leading to premium hikes of up to 75%.
• As many as 7 million people could lose subsidized coverage, with nearly 5 million more becoming uninsured.
• Rural hospitals and health providers in Mississippi could face crushing uncompensated care costs, threatening viability.

“These consequences will hit hardest in Mississippi’s rural counties, low-income communities, older populations, and those with chronic illness,” the party said in a statement.

Public Opinion and Political Stakes

Polling cited by Democrats showed that 59% of voters would blame Trump or congressional Republicans for a shutdown. Majorities of Americans — including 55% of Republicans — oppose cuts to Medicaid.

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor said GOP leaders had failed to protect families:

“Donald Trump, Senate and House Republicans in Washington, and Mississippi’s own Republican delegation have refused to act responsibly — and now they are driving us into a shutdown that will devastate working families, health care, and communities across our state. Mississippians will not forget that Sen. Wicker, Sen. Hyde-Smith, Rep. Kelly, Rep. Guest, and Rep. Ezell stood by as coverage expired and costs skyrocketed.”

Democrats’ Demands

The party urged immediate passage of a “clean continuing resolution” to keep the government open through year’s end, alongside measures to extend ACA premium tax credits and protect Medicaid funding for hospitals and clinics.

With hours left before the deadline, Taylor said accountability rests squarely with Republicans: “Tonight, at midnight, they own the consequences.”