Congresswoman Simon’s Statement on Federal Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement following Congressional Republicans' refusal to pass a bipartisan spending bill that extends Affordable Care Act tax credits and helps lower Americans' health care costs to keep the federal government open:

"At midnight tonight, the federal government shut down because Republicans refuse to govern. Republicans control all three branches of government - the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives - yet for months, they have ignored the reality that they need to work with their Democratic colleagues. This isn't an accident or a last-minute crisis, it's the intended result that reflects the governing philosophy of the Republican party: chaos over stability, cruelty over care, and power over people.

"The reality is that the government has been shut down since Trump was elected back to office. His administration has illegally terminated at least 12 percent of the federal workforce - and wants to continue to fire even more people during a government shutdown. Trump has defied court orders and rulings, gutted the social security net, and decimated our public education system. Trump's true intentions are to eradicate the federal government.

"Democrats are fighting for stability, affordable health care, and the dignity of work. We want government that pays its employees on time, honors its commitments to veterans and seniors, and ensures that no family is left without care or income because of politics.

"Republicans have chosen ideology over responsibility. They have betrayed their constituents, the federal workforce, servicemembers, seniors, and veterans. This avoidable disaster is solely theirs to own."

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