WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement to call out Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for shutting down the federal government for one month.  

“It has now been one month since Donald Trump and Republicans shut down the federal government, and we are nowhere close to a government funding deal. Where is the art of the deal now, Trump? Democrats have been in Washington, ready to negotiate and find an agreement that reopens the government and saves healthcare, but Republicans can’t even be bothered to come to D.C.,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Tomorrow, New Jerseyans will receive notices that their healthcare premiums will be going up an average of 175 percent, and people in need of food assistance may have to go hungry. No working family can afford those prices, and no one should have to go hungry. It’s time for Trump to get back from his trip to Asia and start putting America first – not last – by working to reopen the government and lower Americans' healthcare costs. 

If Congress does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their healthcare, and millions more will see their costs skyrocket. If Republicans get their way, 24,000 individuals in New Jersey’s First Congressional District will see their healthcare costs rise.

The Trump administration has also failed to activate the $5 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) contingency fund to ensure food assistance is available for those in need. Congressman Norcross signed onto a letter with 213 of his House Democratic colleagues to urge U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use these funds over the next few weeks and ease the burden caused by this Republican Government Shutdown.  

For constituents who have questions about how the Republican Government Shutdown might impact them, visit Congressman Norcross’ resource webpage here. Congressman Norcross has been filming videos every day of the Republican Government Shutdown to keep constituents informed. 

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