Luján Statement on President Trump’s Fourth Government Shutdown

There Were ZERO Government Shutdowns During the Previous Administration, Senate Democratic Majority

Trump on 9/30/25: "We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible and bad for them like cutting vast numbers of people out. Cutting things they like, cutting programs they like. We can do things medically and other ways including benefits. We can cut large numbers of people."

Trump on 4/7/11: If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president."

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Republican government shutdown, which took effect after midnight:

"Republicans control the White House, the House of Representatives, and Senate. They have the power to end this shutdown today. Democrats never wanted a shutdown - we have been ready for months to fund the government and protect affordable health care.

"Republicans have marched our country into a government shutdown and refused to address the health care crisis of their own making. Instead of working across the aisle to keep the government open, as Democrats did over the last four years, they chose political games that threaten the paychecks of federal workers and risk the health and security of millions of Americans. As hardworking families brace for skyrocketing health care costs, Democrats are working to bring down costs, make health care affordable, and fight back against President Trump's corruption.

"President Trump has admitted in the past that the president owns the blame for a shutdown. He owned the blame when the government shut down twice in 2018, again in 2019, and he owns it now in 2025. This is a Republican shutdown - plain and simple."

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