Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s Statement on the Shutdown of the United States Government

Monterey, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on the shutdown of the United States Government:

"In my limited time in Congress, there have been 29 continuing resolutions (CR) to keep the government open that have been voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives prior to this month's CR. Although I am not proud that Congress has relied on CRs that many times, I am proud that every one of those CRs were bipartisan and a result of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. Unfortunately, the Republicans currently in charge, with a Majority in the House and Senate and a Republican President in the White House, are unwilling to negotiate whatsoever with Democrats on the current CR.

Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican Majority in the House recently passed the CR without negotiating with Democrats. For the Senate to pass the CR, however, Senate Majority Leader John Thune needs seven Democratic Senators to get past the Senate filibuster. Nevertheless, Majority Leader Thune will not negotiate with Senate Democrats on the CR. That Republican refusal has led to this shutdown of the United States Government.

I am against federal government shutdowns as they harm lives and livelihoods. There are currently two million federal employees, including thousands in California's 19^th Congressional District. Although a majority of federal workers, including those in our military, law enforcement, and other essential employees will be forced to work with backpay, many others deemed non-essential and contract workers will be prevented from working or receiving any pay. Moreover, President Donald Trump and OMB Director Russell Vought have made it clear that they will use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently fire people and further remake the federal workforce as they see fit.

Democrats in the Senate and House are willing and ready to open the federal government and negotiate a CR or an annual budget that protects healthcare for working families. President Trump's purely partisan One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) that was signed into law in July will stop the enhanced health insurance premium subsides for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), causing four million people to lose health insurance and healthcare premiums to double in cost for 22 million people. Moreover, the OBBB makes major changes to Medicaid that could cause over 10 million people to lose healthcare insurance, close rural hospitals, and increase our healthcare costs. That's why Democrats are fighting to extend the ACA subsidies and restore the cuts to Medicaid. Furthermore, I believe that we must reign in the President's tariff fetish and frenzy by reclaiming Congressional authorities over trade under Article One of our Constitution so that we can stop the price increases that are being felt by all Americans.

I firmly believe that the people of the United States are yearning for Democrats and Republicans to negotiate, compromise, and govern. Unfortunately, for the past nine months the Republican Majority has abdicated its legislative authorities to the executive branch. That is why Democrats will continue our fight to reclaim our Congressional power. Nevertheless, I believe that it is never too late for Republicans and Democrats to live up to our obligation to govern by working together. We must start now with negotiations to immediately reopen our federal government, protect healthcare, stop tariffs, and reduce prices. Basically, it is time for the U.S. Congress to do its job by exercising our Constitutional power."

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