Bill Maher Says Democrats Pulled a ‘Bait-and-Switch’ for Their Shutdown Narrative [WATCH]

On Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher said the ongoing government shutdown is tied to Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats originally justified as temporary COVID-era measures but have since made permanent.

Maher’s comments came during a discussion with “The Fifth Column” podcast co-host Michael Moynihan, who explained that the dispute in Washington centers on federal subsidies expanded during the pandemic.

Moynihan noted that the extra funding, initially approved under emergency authority, has now been renewed and written into ongoing budget negotiations.

“We’re talking about these subsidies, that were COVID-era subsidies that were renewed. And the entire shutdown is based on these subsidies,” Moynihan said.

Maher agreed, describing the policy extension as misleading.

“That is what the shutdown is based on. For people who don’t know, let me just say, during COVID, they upped the subsidies. And then, it is a bit of a bait-and-switch, I’ll give you, that’s true on that one,” Maher said.

He went on to argue that Democrats have not been transparent about the policy’s permanence.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“You can’t say — it’s not quite kosher to say, we’re just doing this for the COVID emergency, and then when the emergency’s over, say, oh, no, it’s forever. At least be honest about it,” Maher added.

The discussion highlighted one of the key disputes behind the federal budget stalemate that has led to a prolonged shutdown.

Lawmakers remain divided over whether to continue the higher subsidy levels created under the 2021 American Rescue Plan.

Those subsidies expanded eligibility for federal assistance through the Affordable Care Act, reducing health insurance costs for millions of Americans during the pandemic.

Republican lawmakers have argued that the emergency measures were never intended to be permanent and have pressed for a return to pre-pandemic funding levels.

Democrats, meanwhile, have insisted that the extended subsidies help keep health care affordable for middle-class families and should remain in place as part of the broader federal budget.

The standoff has continued for weeks, with both sides refusing to compromise on the issue. While Maher is often critical of both parties, his remarks Friday echoed a growing sentiment that pandemic-era programs have extended beyond their original intent.

The dispute over the subsidies has become one of several sticking points in the funding negotiations, which have affected multiple federal agencies and programs since the shutdown began.

As Congress faces mounting pressure to reach a resolution, the debate over how long COVID-related spending should continue remains central to broader discussions about fiscal policy and government priorities.

Maher’s acknowledgment of the “bait-and-switch” claim drew attention online over the weekend, with clips of the exchange circulating widely on social media.

Viewers pointed to the rare moment of agreement between the liberal talk show host and critics of Democratic spending policies.

While negotiations in Washington remain at a standstill, the shutdown has prompted renewed debate over how emergency funding should be phased out and whether post-pandemic budgets should reflect pre-pandemic norms.

For now, the disagreement over the Affordable Care Act subsidies continues to block a spending deal and prolong the government shutdown.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.