Elon Musk Demands Trump and Republicans to Shut Down Government, Would Leave Virginia Disaster Victims, Workers, and Troops Out to Dry

From the Democratic Party of Virginia:

Elon Musk Demands Trump and Republicans to Shut Down Government, Would Leave Virginia Disaster Victims, Workers, and Troops Out to Dry

Just days before Christmas, at Elon Musk’s demand, Donald Trump is ordering House Republicans to shut down the government by opposing a bipartisan spending bill, which includes aid for Hurricane Helene victims. This is just another example of Republicans bowing to the demands of out-of-touch billionaires who will bear none of the consequences of a government shutdown.

Here’s who will bear the brunt of a government shutdown in Virginia if Republicans do not come up with a solution in less than 48 hours:

• Over 200,000 Virginians who are civilian federal employees and active-duty military members could be furloughed or forced to work without pay
• Thousands of disaster victims in Southwest Virginia whose communities need federal aid to rebuild
• Small business owners could lose an estimated $2.1 million in financing each day
• Over 100,000 women, infants, and children could lose access to food assistance benefits

Here’s what Virginia Democrats are saying:

• Senator Mark Warner: Hard to imagine anything more heartless than shutting down the government and leaving disaster victims out in the cold just days before Christmas. Absolutely outrageous this is even a possibility.
• Senator Tim Kaine: Virginians know how painful and costly government shutdowns can be. It is imperative that we fund the government in a bipartisan way that includes aid for communities that have been ravaged by natural disasters before the Friday deadline.
• Congressman Don Beyer: The richest man in the world says he wants to shut down the government, forcing millions of American workers – including our troops – to go without pay through the holidays. Republicans are following his orders. This is insane.
• Congressman Gerry Connolly: Elon Musk and Donald Trump have ordered House Republicans to shut down the government, and they are on the verge of following through. Astonishing cowardice and ineptitude at the expense of the American people.
• Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan: So… We are 2 days away from a government shutdown and here’s where things stand: Negotiators reached a deal on a bipartisan funding bill last night. DOGE Bros had a fit. Trump ordered House Republicans to kill the bill and shut down the government. Bah, humbug….