Senator Brian Schatz

Nice to be here.

Thanks for having me.

We're not quite there yet, but I think what's happened in the last maybe five days is the beginning of conversations.

I just really believe two things, that first, Republicans legitimately did not understand the velocity with which

This health care issue was about to smack all of our constituents in the face and the severity of it, because while we were arguing about the big, beautiful bill, I think they made the assumption that we were exaggerating about how much this was going to drive up costs.

And now they're learning that we're not exaggerating and we're giving them a lifeline.

So they're a little more open minded.

to talking.

But I think, you know, Trump's been overseas.

And of course, Mike Johnson won't make a move without Trump.

Soon, a little less so he'll let some people have some conversations.

But I would say the last two days have been the most constructive in terms of, you know, what's our way out of this.

Yeah, it's just a subsidy.

I mean, you know, like it just it just defrays the cost of health care premiums.

So for some people, it'll take your premium down from like 150 bucks a month to almost zero.

And for some people, it really defrays the cost in a way that makes it possible versus impossible to stay on health care.

So the average premium increase, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, for more than 20 million Americans is about 114% increase.

And so, you know, people just can't swing that.

And the cost of electricity is now rising at double the inflation rate.

Vegetables up 39%.