WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement after Republicans chose to shut down the government rather than do their job and work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions. Earlier this evening, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open.

“This Republican-manufactured shutdown is threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of families by ripping away essential healthcare, gutting federal jobs, and cutting the critical services that are a lifeline for our communities,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “Donald Trump and his Republican co-conspirators continue to demonstrate contempt for the people and advance harmful policies that make people hungrier, poorer, sicker, and less safe. As duly elected Members of Congress, it is not only our duty, but our obligation, to make life better for the people we serve. Instead, Republicans have shamefully pushed the country into a dangerous government shutdown, and our constituents deserve better. I refuse to accept this future as an inevitability, and I will continue to fight to reopen the government, keep essential services running, mitigate the Republican-caused healthcare crisis, and center the dignity, humanity, and safety of folks in the Massachusetts 7^th and across the country.”

Earlier today, Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown. Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day livestream with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.

###