What specific policy issue did Senate Democrats demand be addressed in the funding bill?

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Senate Democrats demanded that Congress address expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in any government funding deal. The enhanced ACA subsidies, which helped millions of Americans afford health insurance, were set to expire at the end of 2025. Democrats insisted on extending these subsidies before they would vote to reopen the government. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats rejected 10 stopgap spending bills on October 16 because Republicans refused to include health care provisions. The subsidies had been expanded during the pandemic and kept premiums affordable for middle-class families. Without extension, an estimated 4 million people would lose coverage or face significantly higher premiums. Republicans argued Democrats were holding the government hostage over a partisan policy priority. Democrats countered that Republicans were willing to let critical health care benefits expire to score political points during the shutdown.

What specific policy issue did Senate Democrats demand be addressed in the funding bill?

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