Cortez Masto Statement on Vote to Keep the Government Open

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on her vote against a government shutdown.

"President Trump and Congressional Republicans are already hurting Nevadans who are dealing with high costs, an economic slowdown, and a looming health care crisis. This administration doesn't care about Nevadans, but I do. That's why I cannot support a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration," said Senator Cortez Masto. "We need a bipartisan solution to address this impending health care crisis, but we should not be swapping the pain of one group of Americans for another. I remain focused on protecting health care for working families, and I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work together to tackle this problem."

A government shutdown would force tens of thousands of Nevada military personnel, union members, law enforcement agents and military nurses to work without pay. Additionally, hundreds of union contractors at the Nevada National Security Site and across the state will be out of work for the duration of a shutdown and will not receive pay. As the country's travel and tourism economy continues to struggle, a shutdown could cost the industry $1 billion per week.

At the same time, the U.S. is facing a health care cliff. If the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits are not extended, when open enrollment begins on November 1, working families across the country will see the cost of their health insurance coverage rise. In Nevada, nearly 100,000 Nevadans will see the price of their monthly health insurance premium go up, leaving more than 20,000 Nevadans unable to pay for their health care. As Senator Cortez Masto has always said, she will work with anyone to deliver for Nevadans and she will continue to call on Republicans who are in control in both the House and the Senate to come to the table and work with Democrats on real, bipartisan solutions to lower health care costs.

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