Dear Colleague on Pending Republican Shutdown of the Federal Government
Dear Colleague:
I write in connection with the pending Republican shutdown of the federal government.
Last Friday, Democrats strongly opposed the partisan Republican spending bill in the House and the Senate, and it went down in defeat. The next day Leader Schumer and myself demanded that Donald Trump meet with us in order to address the ongoing Republican healthcare crisis and prevent a lapse in government funding. On Monday, President Trump formally agreed to a meeting in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump has now chickened out and cancelled the meeting. Clearly, GOP extremists want to shut down the government because they are unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating America. I will continue to update you on the latest developments. We will also convene as a Caucus virtually on Friday, September 26 at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the path forward.
Equally revealing, House Republicans have made the stunning decision to cancel votes on Monday and Tuesday of next week, notwithstanding the fact that funding to keep the government open expires at midnight on September 30. This is the height of irresponsibility and further evidence that Republicans are determined to shut the government down.
House Democrats are ready, willing and able to reach a bipartisan agreement that improves the quality of life of the American people and continues our work at the Capitol. Accordingly, there will be a Democratic Caucus meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Republican healthcare crisis and possible lapse in government funding. Democrats will be in town and prepared to get the job done.
Over the next few days, please continue to hold events in communities across the country during our Healthcare Costs Week of Action. Our fight is to cancel the cuts, lower the cost and save healthcare. The American people are counting on us to stand up for them.
Thank you for your unity of purpose during this perilous moment.
Sincerely,
Hakeem Jeffries
Democratic Leader