Rep. Andrea Salinas’ Statement on Republicans Shutting Down the Government

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) released the following statement regarding President Trump and Congressional Republicans shutting down the government.

“I do not want a government shutdown, but I refuse to be complicit in the Republicans' reckless plan to raise costs and strip people of their health care coverage. Republicans are using hardworking Americans as their political pawns to push through a partisan spending bill. It’s shameful.

“By choosing to shut down the government, Republicans are deliberately inflicting even more pain on families who are already stretched thin. They are forcing folks into impossible choices between paying for their health care or feeding their families.

“I won’t support a partisan spending plan that cuts health care coverage and raises costs. What I will support is a bipartisan agreement that stops Republicans’ cuts to health care, lowers costs, and works for the American people.

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. This shutdown is entirely of their own making. By refusing to protect health care, they are forcing this shutdown on the American people.

“This shutdown will have devastating consequences in every corner of our country. Federal employees will be left without pay or, worse, fired entirely from their jobs. Government services will face major disruptions, our economy will take a hit, and troops could be left without pay.

“The best time for Republicans to come to the negotiating table to stop a shutdown was last week. The second-best time is right now.” 

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