Official Statement: Government Shutdown

The longest government shutdown in history may be over, but the fight for food access, economic mobility, and affordable healthcare is far from finished.

This crisis was never about fiscal responsibility, it was about the failure of those in power to prioritize the basic needs of their constituents. For weeks, families were forced into an impossible choice between feeding their children and maintaining access to healthcare. We pitted the hungry against the sick. We told millions of people they could have one lifeline, but not both. That is not governance; that is neglect.

Our communities deserve leaders who are wholly committed to protecting people, not political power. Leaders who understand that in America, no one should ever have to choose between putting food on the table or receiving affordable healthcare. 

Ending the shutdown is not the victory. The real victory will come when we build systems that ensure no family is ever again placed in harm's way because of political dysfunction. 

As we move into 2026, this reality underscores the importance of representation and leadership rooted in principle, not political convenience.