McClellan Statement on Impending Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement on the impending shutdown of the federal government:

"Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the White House. They had every tool at their disposal to avoid a government shutdown. Yet their actions, or lack thereof, these past few weeks have caused immense uncertainty for millions of Americans and their livelihoods, amidst a health care and affordability crisis of their own making.

"In Virginia, our economy and communities will be hit especially hard by this shutdown. As the state with the second highest number of federal employees, we will see workers unsure when to expect their next paycheck, small businesses waiting on loans to process and families worried about what the future holds. Hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose their health insurance due to draconian Medicaid cuts in the Republicans' Big Ugly Law and their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits. Health care costs for the rest of us will rise and providers will close or cut services. This goes beyond insulting - it's cruel.

"From day one of the 119th Congress, Democrats have stood ready to craft bipartisan funding legislation that meets the needs of the American people, just as we did in December. Republicans have rejected us at every turn. From a March extension that hurt veterans, seniors and children to the Big Ugly Law that ripped health care and food assistance from millions and now this government shutdown, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans decided they would rather raise health care premiums, shut down the government and lay off our federal workforce than take action.

"My House Democratic colleagues and I remain in Washington ready to negotiate a bipartisan government funding bill that ensures the health, safety and economic well-being of every American and addresses the health care crisis. I urge Republicans to return to Washington and work with us to do just that and end their shutdown."