MENG STATEMENT ON GOP GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) released the following statement on the government shutdown effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025:

"As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown, because the GOP majority - which controls the House, Senate, and White House - allowed funding for the federal government to lapse. This shutdown was completely avoidable. For weeks now, my Democratic colleagues and I have stood ready to negotiate and pass a bill that funds the government, lowers costs for families, and saves health care. We returned to Capitol Hill this week ready to vote to avert this shutdown, but Speaker Johnson canceled votes.

Health care costs are too high. The GOP's Big, Ugly Bill has unleashed the deepest Medicaid cuts in history and set off a wave of hospital closures - on top of gutting medical research and undermining vaccines. Now, unless Congress acts, health insurance tax credits that help millions of Americans afford coverage will expire-causing everyone's premiums to skyrocket.

In New York State, families who rely on these tax credits will see their premiums rise by an average of 56 percent. In Queens alone, a family of four earning $64,000 could pay $2,000 more in annual premiums, while a 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 could see their costs soar by more than $13,000 each year. For many families, that is simply unaffordable.

Democrats are fighting to cancel the cuts, lower the costs, save health care, and fund the government. I stand ready to vote on a bill that accomplishes this.

I know that many of my constituents in Queens may be concerned about how a government shutdown could impact their daily lives. Both my Washington, D.C. and district offices remain open and available to support them and their families. Constituents who need assistance, can call (718) 358-MENG (district office) or (202) 225-2601 (D.C. office)."