Donald Trump will be squarely responsible for the impending government shutdown, full stop. Democrats have been steadfast in their common-sense funding plan that would keep the government open, extend vital Affordable Care Act subsidies, and reverse the disastrous Medicaid cuts from Trump’s billionaire-first budget bill.

New reporting even revealed that Trump privately welcomes a shutdown, so he can wield even more government power and lay off thousands more federal workers — all while the working and middle class pays the price. Despite controlling every branch of government, Trump and his Republican lackeys are continuing their efforts to shut down the government, all because they’re dead set on raising health care costs for 22 million working families. 

In response, DNC Communications Director Rosemary Boeglin released the following statement: 

“It’s cruel what Donald Trump and his Rubber-stamp Republicans are willing to give up to secure kickbacks for their billionaire donors. Ruthlessly embracing a shutdown that would make more devastating cuts to health care is a slap in the face to millions of Americans already struggling under Trump’s failed economy. You would think passing the LARGEST health care cut in history would be enough, but now Trump is making health care even MORE expensive for working families. Democrats have been waiting at the negotiating table to reverse Trump’s health care cuts, lower costs, and avoid a government shutdown.” 

Republicans are prepared to let health care costs skyrocket for 22 million people by an average of 75%, on top of the 15 million Americans who are going to lose health care because of Trump’s billionaire-first budget bill. 

Nearly 60% of Americans would blame Trump or Republicans for a shutdown. Furthermore, 1 in 3 Republican voters indicated they would blame their own party for a shutdown, and an even larger share of Independent voters would blame Trump and Republicans. Trump and Republicans will own this shutdown — and Democrats will keep fighting to protect health care for working families.