Clarke Slams GOP for Trump Shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC –  Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement after Republicans failed to pass a bipartisan solution to keep government open and meet the needs of the American people:

 “Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House, but they couldn’t get it together to do something as basic as keeping government open. Now, Republicans’ incompetence has endangered our economy, could hurt our communities, and if not addressed soon will dangerously deprive our military of the certainty they need to keep our nation safe.

“In 2013, Donald Trump blamed the GOP government shutdown on President Obama, saying, ‘the problems start from the top and have to get solved from the top…The president is the leader, and he’s got to get everybody in a room and he’s got to lead.’ Since assuming office, however, Donald Trump has cynically and explicitly called for a government shutdown, tweeting in May of 2017, ‘our country needs a good shutdown.’

“Congress still faces a long list of urgent, overdue business. From the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the Dream Act and the fate of our DACA recipients, Democrats will continue to strive for an agreement on all of the outstanding issues that face our nation.

“When President Trump is finally ready to lead Republicans to a deal, Democrats will be ready and willing to end this unnecessary impasse.”

 ###