5:22Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, is seen on ABC News’ “This Week” on October 5, 2025.ABC News
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) stated that discussions remain deadlocked on the fifth day of the government cessation, with Democrats aiming to reverse healthcare cuts and reinstate Obamacare benefits, while Republicans are insisting on a straightforward funding measure to keep the government operating into November.
“It's truly a period of healthcare emergency,” Booker conveyed to ABC News' "This Week" co-host Martha Raddatz.
Booker expressed that he is less preoccupied with identifying which party is responsible for the cessation and more concerned about the health and financial well-being of Americans that he believes are endangered by the shutdown.
“I am unconcerned with the blame assignment. My concern lies with Americans losing their medical coverage, escalating mortality rates, overwhelmed hospitals, and the termination of medical care in rural areas. This is a deluge precipitated by Donald Trump,” Booker declared.
Below are additional key moments from Booker's interview:
Regarding GOP criticism that Democrats previously endorsed continuing resolutions
They [Republicans] are abstaining from negotiation. Keep in mind, the Speaker of the House has kept the House absent for the past two weeks. They are not engaging in discussions. And when he inquires, "What has changed?" The alteration lies in the fact that, for the first instance in American history, we are at a juncture where, because of Donald Trump's assaults on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans are at risk of losing their healthcare, and the majority of Americans are experiencing a substantial increase in their medical costs.
Regarding whether he harbors any disapproval of Democratic leadership
Raddatz: Do you possess any dissatisfaction with your party’s leadership?
Booker: You have witnessed Chuck Schumer addressing the podium, engaging in negotiations with us, nearly imploring the president to unite the parties, akin to what he stated, Donald Trump has explicitly stated that it is the president's duty to convene the parties and negotiate a resolution.
Raddatz: So you are content, you are pleased with your leadership, with all the actions the Democrats have undertaken?
Booker: I commend those individuals who are currently standing up and asserting that we are abandoning the usual practices in Washington, given that numerous Americans are literally facing harm because, when they are unwell, they will lack the financial means to consult a physician, and when they visit the emergency department, the waiting lines will double. We are facing a crisis. We require a president to rise and unite us in addressing the challenges faced by the American populace.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
