North Dakota, Minnesota Lawmakers Discuss Local Impact of Government Shutdown

Some nonprofit organizations may be unable to pay employees while federal funding is frozen.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – “I’m also thinking about everybody else who’s going to pay the cost – literally – if hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans or people in North Dakota lose their health insurance,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D) of Minnesota.

Smith is part of the Democratic contingent currently trying to hash out an agreement with Republican legislators to get the federal government reopened.

She says her and her colleagues’ biggest sticking point is the GOP’s refusal to extend a tax credit on healthcare for the average American.

“In Moorhead, those health insurance premiums will go up next year, upwards of $200 a month, and people can’t afford that,” she explained.

The Republicans say it’s the Democrats’ focus on this topic that’s costing the country as a whole.

“The issue at the moment is keeping the government open, and the Democrats have chosen not to do that,” stated Sen. Kevin Cramer (R) of North Dakota.

They’ve also claimed that the blue party wants to extend healthcare coverage to undocumented residents – an accusation Smith vehemently denies.

“If you don’t have documentation proving that you are a legal immigrant, and you try to get on the health insurance exchange to buy health insurance – can’t be done. It is illegal right now,” said Smith. “So there is absolutely nothing to this.”

While the Democrats worry that the discontinuation of the tax break would hurt their constituents down the line, they’re also aware of immediate impacts in local communities.

AmeriCorps is a federal program that helps provide monetary support to non-profits and volunteer service organizations.

Here in Fargo – groups like Cultural Diversity Resources suddenly are unable to pay staff now that the funding faucet has been shut off.

“The federal government makes grants and payments for a whole slew of things to local community groups to help them work better, and that’s why a federal government shutdown is a bad deal for people,” said Smith.

Despite their differences – it seems both sides are hoping the shutdown is over sooner rather than later.