FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2018

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@nilc-ijf.org, 213-375-3149
Hayley Burgess, burgess@nilc-ijf.org, 202-384-1279

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Congress has failed to approve any measure to keep the federal government funded and running past Friday, initiating a partial shutdown. This is the first time in modern history that the federal government could shut down while one party has majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the White House.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“Our government is shutting down because President Trump and Republican leadership have exhibited an inability to perform the most basic functions of their jobs. Instead of working across the aisle to achieve meaningful solutions to our country’s most pressing issues, they have chosen to engage in partisan bickering and finger-pointing. Their dysfunction is what is throwing millions of Americans into uncertainty.

“It’s shameful that partisan politics continue to prevent Congress from getting done what Americans almost unanimously agree is necessary to move our country forward. In this critical moment, we urge you, our country’s elected leaders, to put political games aside and come together to quickly resolve this impasse. Millions of Americans, including Dreamers, sick children, and public servants, are counting on you.”

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