Speaker Johnson's Claims on Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants Face Scrutiny Amid Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson has accused Democrats of causing the current government shutdown by insisting on funding health care for undocumented immigrants. Speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation," Johnson stated that Democrats "want to spend $1.5 trillion, and they want to return hard-working taxpayer dollars to fund health care for illegal aliens. It is in their bill. Go to speaker.gov and see it for yourself. Page 57, Section 2141."

However, host Margaret Brennan responded, "I have looked at that text. It doesn't explicitly say what you are indicating."

Fact-checkers have noted that the Democratic proposal aims to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), not to provide health care to undocumented immigrants.

Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, stated, "It's a compelling talking point to say that Democrats want to provide health care to undocumented immigrants, but it's just not true in terms of the cuts they're trying to reverse."

Under current federal law, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The government shutdown, now in its sixth day, stems from a budget impasse between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats are advocating for the extension of health insurance subsidies and the reversal of Medicaid cuts, while Republicans, including President Donald Trump, oppose increased spending and aim to maintain current budget levels.

As the shutdown continues, both parties remain at an impasse, with essential services and federal employees affected by the funding lapse.