Government Shutdown Falls on Shoulders of Congress Members Sabotaging Bipartisan Efforts

Washington, D.C. – Today the United States federal government entered a shutdown with Congress unable to reach a spending bill agreement in time for the midnight deadline.

In response, Roger C. Rocha Jr., LULAC National President, issued the following statement:

“A shutdown causes completely unnecessary damage to our economy and hurts all families across the country. At a time when the American public expects results and not reckless and harmful political games, the reality is that lawmakers are more focused on pandering to their base than finding a solution. We do not want more excuses. When people's lives are at stake, we should not be kicking the can down the road to an undetermined date in the future. It is time to stop using the lives of 800,000 young people as a bargaining chip and start putting the interest of the American public first. The shutdown falls on the shoulders of members of Congress who sabotaged bipartisan efforts to pass the Dream Act and failed to pass a spending bill to fund border security, our military and the essential Children's Health and Insurance Program. LULAC continues to stand with DACA recipients and urge Congress to pass the Dream Act now.”

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.