Fact Check: US 2025 Government Shutdown Talking Points!

Fact Check: US 2025 Government Shutdown Talking Points!

Reported by Marian opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

As the U.S. enters a partial government shutdown, several claims and talking points have come to the fore from both Republicans and Democrats. Below is a breakdown of the most common narratives—and what fact checks and reputable sources say about them.

Claim 1: Democrats are shutting down the government to give health care to “illegal immigrants”

Verdict: False / Misleading

• Republicans have accused Democrats of orchestrating a shutdown to extend healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants. However, federal law generally prohibits undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid or premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). [1]
• Democrats argue they’re pushing to preserve enhanced subsidy levels for legally eligible residents, not expanding access to undocumented immigrants. [1]

Claim 2: Health insurance premiums will rise by 75% if ACA subsidies are allowed to expire

Verdict: Mostly True (with context)

• Democrats frequently warn that without extending enhanced tax credits, premiums could spike “by 75%.” FactCheck.org confirms that this is an estimate of the increase in out-of-pocket premiums, not a universal premium hike. [1]
• PolitiFact also notes that KFF (a leading health policy group) estimated the cost increase to be about 79%, which is in the same ballpark. [2]
• However, the exact increase will vary widely by state, income level, and individual plan type. [1] Claim 3: WIC (Women, Infants & Children nutrition program) will be entirely defunded in the shutdown

Verdict: Partially False / Conditional

• Donald Johnson, Speaker of the House, claimed WIC would “not be funded.” PolitiFact notes that the WIC program is designed to continue “subject to availability of funding.” [2]
• In practice, WIC may operate during the first week of a shutdown via existing funds or temporary state support. Longer-term continuity depends on budget replenishment. [2] Bonus: Economic Impact & Worker Furloughs
• A White House memo warns that $15 billion in GDP may be lost every week the shutdown lasts. [3]
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates up to 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed (without pay) during the shutdown. [4]
• Health agencies are heavily impacted: the Department of Health and Human Services may see 41% of staff furloughed. The CDC and NIH also stand to reduce operations dramatically. [5]

Citations:

1. FactCheck.org: www.factcheck.org/2025/10/lawmakers-health-care-government-shutdown-claims/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. PolitiFact: www.politifact.com/article/2025/oct/01/government-shutdown-Trump-Democrats-Obamacare/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Politico: www.politico.com/news/2025/10/01/us-gdp-loss-shutdown-00590927?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. TIME: time.com/7322026/shutdown-federal-workers-furloughed/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Reuters: www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-government-shutdown-furlough-41-health-agency-workers-2025-09-29/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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