NEA President Becky Pringle: Trump and Republican leaders must step up, take responsibility, and stop using families as pawns to push partisan priorities

WASHINGTON - After weeks of stalemate, the U.S. Senate tonight voted to advance a short-term funding measure, setting the stage to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history and, upon reopening, forcing further action on fiscal oversight and health-care protections.

NEA President Becky Pringle issued the following statement in response tonight's Senate vote.

"For weeks, millions of children, workers, and families went without the support they depend on-forced to make impossible choices just to get by. In this country, no one should have to choose between feeding their children and accessing affordable healthcare. Yet extreme Republicans seem determined to deny both. Reopening the government is a basic job duty for the president and the Republican Party in charge.

"Let's be clear: this crisis was created by choice. Donald Trump and Republican leaders knew exactly who would suffer-and put politics over people. They must step up, take responsibility, and stop using families as pawns to push partisan priorities that threaten our democracy.

"Federal workers and contractors deserve back pay. All families-regardless of race, background, or ZIP code-deserve reliable access to affordable healthcare. Too many families are struggling to feed their families, so they deserve and need critical food assistance to survive.

"People across the country have stood up, participated in protests, and turned out to vote to advance a broader agenda for families and communities. Voters across the country last Tuesday sent a very clear message to lawmakers: focus on the American people's needs. Educators and parents will not forget who chose power over people-we will continue to organize, speak out, and demand accountability. Educators expect and will demand that lawmakers solve more problems than they create."

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org