End the shutdown, fund our government, fix the healthcare crisis, and put working people first

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the federal government shutdown:

 

“It’s unfortunately no surprise that President Trump and the Republican majority in Congress have allowed our nation’s government to shut down. Since this administration came to office, it has clearly been their priority to make life as difficult as possible for our nonpartisan government workers and their families.

 

“Whether it was DOGE’s reckless firings or taking away union rights from tens of thousands of workers with a stroke of a pen – Donald Trump and his allies in Congress are using federal workers as political pawns.

 

“Make no mistake, Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress – they can end the shutdown at any time. If this avoidable crisis continues, not only will more than 18,000 workers in Minnesota be forced to go without pay, but hundreds of thousands more will see their health insurance become unaffordable.

 

 

“We call on the Trump administration and Republican Congressional Leaders, especially Majority Whip Tom Emmer, to end the shutdown, fund our government, fix the healthcare crisis, and put working people first."