As 2024 Republicans flock to California to campaign on the brink of a government shutdown, DNC spokesperson Sarafina Chitika released the following statement: 

“As House Republicans march us toward a MAGA shutdown, 2024 Republicans have cheered them on every step of the way. While Donald Trump, Tim Scott, and Ron DeSantis campaign in California on the brink of this Republican shutdown, American families and servicemembers will have to grapple with its consequences: servicemembers and law enforcement officers won’t get their paychecks on time, food and water safety inspections could be delayed, and food assistance for nearly seven million women and children thrown into jeopardy. But none of that seems to matter to Donald Trump, Tim Scott, and Ron DeSantis, who are prioritizing their own political games while working families across the country brace for the devastating impact of an extreme House Republican shutdown.

Trump knows he can get MAGA House Republicans to do his bidding and his latest request is loud and clear: “UNLESS YOU GET EVERYTHING, SHUT IT DOWN!” 

Sahil Kapur, MSNBC: “Donald Trump’s new instruction to congressional Republicans on government funding: ‘UNLESS YOU GET EVERYTHING, SHUT IT DOWN!’

(Worth remembering, Trump forced a 35-day shutdown over wall money as president but ultimately caved and reopened gov’t after getting nothing.)”

House Freedom Caucus co-founder DeSantis encouraged House Republicans to “keep fighting” even if their petty political games shut down the government.

Politico: “The Florida governor spent about 30 minutes on the phone Wednesday with conservative Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Bob Good of Virginia — leaders of the cadre that is pushing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to embrace a shutdown if Democrats won’t agree to hard-right policy demands. DeSantis’ message, according to a person familiar with the call: ‘I got your back. Keep fighting.’”

Scott admitted that he’d rather play politics than work to avoid a government shutdown. 

Radio Iowa: “Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott — who represents South Carolina in the U.S. Senate — says he’s ready to draw a line in the sand on federal spending, even if it leads to a government shutdown. Scott voted against this spring’s budget deal that set a two-year framework for government spending.”

From national security to the border, our military, our economy, and a number of essential services, here’s a glimpse of what’s at stake if MAGA Republicans shut down the federal government.

The White House: “What would it mean for the American people if House Republicans’ proposed 8% cuts were extended for the entire year? … 800 fewer Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and officers”

Dallas Morning News: “A congressional report after the last budget stalemate in 2019 found border security deteriorated markedly during the furloughs, creating significant vulnerabilities that lasted long after federal workers returned to work.”

Ryan Struyk, CNN: MCCONNELL: “Shutting down the government is a choice. And it’s a choice that would make the crisis at our southern border even worse.”

ABC News: “Military families brace for loss of paycheck, services under a government shutdown”

Reuters: “Biden, US officials warn of hunger for millions in a government shutdown”

New York Times: “Biden Administration Warns That Government Shutdown Could Disrupt Air Travel”

Washington Post: “FEMA delays $2.8 billion in disaster aid to keep from running out of money”

Washington Post: “A government shutdown could wreak havoc on many federally funded programs if lawmakers cannot negotiate a spending deal by the Saturday deadline, including potential disruptions to some services provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”

Washington Post: “Some federal inspections that ensure food safety and prevent the release of hazardous chemicals in drinking water would be halted, the Biden administration has warned. Federal research toward cancer cures and other innovative therapies would cease. Passport offices in parts of the country are expected to close, snarling some Americans’ plans for international travel.

“And with each passing day, Washington would further deplete federal safety-net programs that carry over their unused money from past years. Eventually, the government may not be able to provide some poor families with child care, nutrition assistance, housing vouchers or college financial aid. The longer a shutdown persists, the greater the blow it could ultimately deliver to an economy that has teetered for more than a year on the precipice of recession.”

The Hill: Opinion: “Customer service at the beleaguered Social Security Administration (SSA) is already suffering from chronic underfunding by Congress. In the event of a shutdown, SSA employees would be forced to continue working (without being paid until the shutdown ended) and they’d be limited to performing only their most basic work functions. Non-automated and non-exempted SSA operations would come to a screeching halt. Current work backlogs would begin to grow again. If that happens, seniors hoping to submit new Social Security claims, replace Social Security cards, or report a change in status may experience delays until the shutdown ends.”

CBS News: “Members of the military and federal law enforcement would continue going to work, but may not be paid until Congress approved government funding. Most civilian personnel working for the Defense Department, such as military technicians, would be furloughed, and military personnel may step in to carry out their work, according to a contingency plan for the continuation of essential operations issued by the Pentagon in August.”

CBS News: “But there can still be ramifications for veterans, especially if a shutdown drags on for an extended period of time. During the October 2013 shutdown, VA officials warned that disability payments might be stalled if the closure lasted beyond several weeks.” 

ABC News: “According to the White House, an upcoming shutdown could delay new clinical trials for cancer and other research, halt food and environmental inspections, and put disaster relief programs at risk.”