Maryland Delegation Calls for End to Republican Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), called on Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans to end their government shutdown. The lawmakers stood in solidarity with federal workers and pressed for a bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government.

"I want everybody at home to know that we, the Maryland Delegation, are at work today. We were at work yesterday. We were at work Monday. We have been here every day trying to find a deal to keep government open, to reopen government today, but not at the expense of 20 million Americans who are due to have one of the largest increases in their health insurance costs on January 1st if Congress does not act," said Congresswoman Elfreth."This is an affordability crisis and 271 days into this Congress, we have yet to address it head-on. We cannot wait seven weeks to take a vote on the tax credits because insurance companies are sending their notices out for January today, on October 1st. We have to act and that's what we are standing for."

"Trump and Republicans have driven the nation into a partisan government shutdown and are holding the American people and our federal employees hostage. Team Maryland will continue to stand with our dedicated federal civil servants and fight to restore government funding with a responsible agreement that holds the President accountable to the law and prevents massive spikes in Americans' health care costs," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Republicans have the keys to the kingdom. They control the White House, and they have majorities in the Senate and House. Today was the first day of their shutdown, and already, we're hearing from Marylanders who are hurting. The same Marylanders who have been hurting for nine months. This Administration's cruelty, combined with their incompetence, has wrecked our economy, gutted our federal workforce, and soon, will drive up our health insurance costs. It's shameful. We will keep fighting back to reopen the government and defend the middle class," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"For more than eight months, Donald Trump and his Majority in Congress have tried to stop the federal government from functioning for the American people. It is no surprise that Republicans have shut down the government to allow Trump and his administration to continue decimating the federal workforce, disrupting the vital services our government provides, and gutting health care coverage for millions of Americans, many of whom are Marylanders in the Fifth Congressional District and beyond," Congressman Hoyer said."My colleagues in the Maryland Delegation and I will not sit silently as Trump devastates our state and the American people. We will keep fighting to open up the government and working to support Marylanders impacted by this Republican shutdown."

"Thousands of hard-working federal employees in Maryland's 7th Congressional District woke up yesterday to learn whether they were furloughed or required to work without pay. This shutdown was entirely avoidable. Democrats in Washington remain ready, willing and able to negotiate a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open and lower healthcare costs for Americans everywhere," said Congressman Mfume.

"Democrats are fighting to stop health care premiums from doubling for tens of millions of Americans," said Congressman Raskin. "While Trump shuts down the government and funds the rich, Marylanders stand strong for Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security."

"This government shutdown shows a callous disregard for the more than 65,000 federal workers in Maryland's Fourth Congressional District and thousands more across our state. These dedicated public servants work hard and show up every day to serve the American people; they deserve our support and expect us to protect their health care. I'm teaming up with our congressional delegation to protect health care, support working families, and get the government back open to better serve the public. From WIC and SNAP to clinical trials, severe weather preparedness at FEMA and NOAA, and our National Parks, essential services that millions rely on are at risk. Marylanders deserve better, and I'll keep fighting to make sure they get it," said Congressman Glenn Ivey.

"My first priority is the health and well being of all those who live or work in my district, and I will work nonstop to end this shut down. Marylanders - including the 35,000 public servants in my district - deserve a trusted government which can work in all our best interests. Our federal delegation is standing against budget cuts which will make life harder or less affordable for working families or will take away health care coverage from our most needy. We must come together in bipartisan way to resolve these differences and end this shut down," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

"Passing a budget and keeping the government open is our most basic responsibility. Yet Republicans - who control the House, Senate, and White House - have refused to negotiate in good faith," said Congressman Johnny Olszewski."The consequences of this reckless shutdown will be especially severe here in Maryland, which is home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers who are also parents, neighbors, and dedicated public servants with mortgages to pay and children to feed. We stand united in our support of them and in our commitment to passing a responsible, bipartisan budget that honors our civil servants and delivers for the American people."

The full video of the lawmakers' press conference is available here.

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