RICHMOND, VA – Following the passage of a continuing resolution, temporarily suspending the Republican shutdown of the government, Virginia House Democratic Caucus Leaders released the following statement:
“Instead of doing what they could have done weeks ago, the MAGA GOP threatened the lives and livelihoods of Virginians with an incredibly reckless and completely unnecessary gridlock that led to a looming government shutdown. Virginians knew it, the American people knew it, and the MAGA Republicans in Congress knew it,” said House Democratic Caucus Leader Don Scott. “By no means is this a win – it is simply a delay of the inevitable. They waited until the last possible moment to institute a temporary hold because they knew how the American people would react. Virginians know how crucial it is that we don’t have a government shutdown because we know the impact that a shutdown would have on our families and our everyday lives. MAGA Republicans – whether it’s in Washington or Richmond – are unfit to govern, and Virginians have to show up to the polls this November to stop them.”
House Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele Herring said, “It is disappointing that the Republicans are prioritizing their own interests over Virginians and people all across the country. I am concerned about everyone, including our federal employees, who will spend the next six weeks wondering if they will be able to provide their families with basic necessities if this temporary solution does not hold.”
“As a veteran who served tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea, I am thinking about the more than 100,000 active duty military in the Commonwealth who would have been affected by this shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of Virginians will now be spending the next 45 days, holding their breath and worried how they might not be getting paid heading into the holidays. We need leaders who have the best interest of the public in mind when governing — not personal politics,” said Delegate Dan Helmer.
Members of the press interested in learning more about how the Republican shutdown will impact Virginians should reach out to Morgan Hopkins at morgan@vahousedems.org.
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