“Excuse me. Stop it right there,” Waters said in the video, cutting Steinberg off mid-question. “We’re not prioritizing. What we’re saying simply is that we want to keep the government open and we want to work with the Republicans and have a bipartisan agreement to keep this government open, and healthcare is at the top of our agenda.”

The back-and-forth quickly went viral, with clips spreading widely on social media as both sides of the political divide seized on the exchange. Steinberg, a correspondent for the network run by election conspiracy theorist and Trump ally Mike Lindell, pressed Waters on whether Democrats were “demanding healthcare for illegal aliens.” Waters didn’t back down.

“Democrats are demanding healthcare for everybody,” she said firmly. “We want to save lives. We want to make sure that healthcare is available to those who would die without having the help of their government.” Steinberg continued pressing: “So you’re good with the government shutdown even if it means giving healthcare to people who aren’t Americans?”

Waters immediately called out the framing. “That’s what you’re pushing on,” she shot back. “What you’re trying to do is you’re standing here and you’re trying to make me say that somehow we are going to put non-citizens over Americans. Quit it! Stop it! This is the kind of journalism we don’t need.”

The congresswoman accused Steinberg of stirring up division instead of focusing on the real stakes. “You’re being divisive,” Waters said. “You’re trying to create controversy. You’re not going to get it from me. We want to save healthcare for all people.”

The exchange unfolded just hours before the federal government officially shut down at midnight after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal. The White House and congressional leaders remain locked in a bitter standoff, with Democrats demanding the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversal of Medicaid cuts passed earlier this year. Republicans have rejected those demands as a “nonstarter,” accusing Democrats of blocking a short-term measure to keep the government open through November 21.

At the center of the clash is a familiar political talking point. Republicans have accused Democrats of prioritizing undocumented immigrants, claiming they want to give “free health care” to people who aren’t citizens. In reality, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for ACA marketplace subsidies or federal Medicaid coverage, aside from limited emergency care. Democrats argue their push is about protecting millions of Americans who rely on ACA subsidies to keep health insurance affordable.

Meanwhile, the shutdown is already affecting real lives. About 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, with delayed paychecks and disruptions to key government services. As the standoff drags on, pressure is mounting on both parties to strike a deal.
Waters, however, made her stance clear. She wasn’t about to let a MAGA-aligned reporter twist the narrative. “We want to keep the government open,” she said. “And we want healthcare for everyone. That’s what this is about.”