Leader Schumer Statement On Trump Harming American Families With Healthcare Crisis And Vindictive Shutdown Backfiring On Republicans

New York, N.Y. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today released the following statement on the second day of the Trump shutdown, as American families pay the price for Republicans' petty political games:

"Donald Trump's so-called 'maximum pain' plan isn't hurting Democrats - it's hurting American families. He's snatching paychecks, threatening jobs, and deliberately inflicting suffering on working people just to score petty political points.

"Across the country, families are left wondering how they'll make rent, pay their bills, and put food on the table as Republicans refuse to address spiking healthcare costs. Federal workers in Virginia and Maryland, transit and construction workers in New York and New Jersey, and millions more are waking up every day with fear and uncertainty because Donald Trump decided their livelihoods were expendable.

"Americans see it clearly: they know Trump governs by chaos and welcomes this shutdown - and that Republicans are following his orders to maximize pain. That cruelty is already backfiring. Americans blame Trump and Republicans for the shutdown, and the longer they drag it out, the deeper the pain and that blame will grow.

"Americans are demanding Republicans work with Democrats to reach an agreement to reopen the government and lower healthcare costs. Support for Republicans will erode further as they drag the shutdown out longer."

###