Rep. Omar’s Statement on Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement following the government shutdown.

“Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House. This shutdown—and the devastating consequences that come with it—are entirely on them. With the passage of the ‘Big Ugly’ law,  Republicans made their priorities clear: billionaires and corporations over the health and well-being of the American people. Now, the American people are faced with a catastrophic, manufactured health care crisis. If we don’t seize this moment to counteract their cruelty, premiums will skyrocket 75 percent next year for over 20 million Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act credits. Over 4 million Americans will lose health coverage. We simply cannot allow millions of Americans to lose their health care. Too much is at stake. Children could lose access to life-saving medications. Seniors may be forced to skip doctor visits. Cancer patients could be forced to forgo their chemotherapy treatment. This is the real cost of Republican cruelty. I hope my Democratic colleagues in the Senate see the urgency of this moment and hold the line because we simply cannot allow the American people to suffer. This is our opportunity to stand up and fight to defend the fundamental right to health care. Let’s seize it.”