Booker Hosts Shutdown Town Hall & Resource Fair Alongside Faith & Community Leaders

Lindenwold, N.J. - Following a virtual town hall with New Jerseyans from across the state to discuss Republicans' government shutdown and their refusal to work with Democrats on a funding bill to lower health costs, Senator Booker joined Bishop David G. Evans of Bethany Baptist Church in Camden County for a town hall and constituent service resource fair. Senator Booker spoke to congregants about Republicans' government shutdown and answered their questions about Republicans' refusal to work with Democrats on a government funding bill that will address the health care crisis Republicans have manufactured and re-open the government.

From Senator Booker: "Just yesterday, I heard from folks across New Jersey during my virtual town hall. They expressed to me how worried they are of the impending health care cost crisis facing them and their families. And, today, I heard from New Jerseyans in Camden County, and their worries are the same. I'm grateful to Bishop Evans for hosting me here in the storied Bethany Baptist Church so that I could speak to congregants in person," said Senator Booker. "It's unconscionable Trump and Congressional Republicans refuse to sit down with Democrats to put an end to this shutdown by working together to stop health care costs from ballooning for millions of Americans and over 350,000 people here in New Jersey. This is a difficult moment for American families, and in New Jersey our message and my mandate is clear. Our communities know they deserve better than what Republicans are offering them today, and we won't back down from this fight."

"We are incredibly grateful to have welcomed Senator Booker to Bethany Baptist Church this morning. The town hall was informative, instructional, preparative, and purposeful! Senator Booker made clear the stakes of this government shutdown, and, together, we reaffirmed our commitment to stand united as a community in the face of these challenging times," said Bishop David G. Evans, Pastor, Bethan Baptist Church.

BACKGROUND: TRUMP & GOP SEEK TO UNDERMINE NEW JERSEY FAMILIES' HEALTH CARE

• 352,000 people in New Jersey receive critical tax credits that help lower their monthly premium payments.

• For a family of four in New Jersey earning $130K a year, their annual premiums would increase by over $11,000, representing an over 100% increase.

• For a family of four in New Jersey earning $64K a year, their annual premiums would increase by over $2500. That is a 222% increase.

• Health care costs for hospitals and other health care providers in New Jersey will increase by hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade.

• The "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBA) and Expiration of the ACA Enhanced Tax Credits combined are projected to increase the uninsured population by roughly 390K people in New Jersey.