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VA Dems Blast Republicans for Shutting Down the Government: “Trump and his rubber-stamp Republicans have chosen to hurt Virginia families instead of working across the aisle”

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See below for some reactions by Virginia Democrats to the Republicans’ decision to shut down the government…I’ll add more as I see them.

Sen. Mark Warner: “Republicans just REJECTED our attempt to keep the government funded & stop your health care costs from skyrocketing. They have the White House, House, and Senate. They could have just kept costs stable – they refused.   Don’t let them gaslight you. This is a Republican shutdown.”

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Sen. Tim Kaine: “Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate. This summer, they spurred a health care affordability crisis with their ‘Big, Ugly Bill.’ Democrats once again gave them a chance to help fix it and fund the government. Not a single Republican voted for it.”

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Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11): “Republicans literally took food from the mouths of children with the food cuts in their Big Ugly Bill. Now they want to double health insurance premiums on working families. Instead of working with us to fix the crisis they created, Republicans aren’t even showing up to work.”

Vindman Releases Statement on Extreme Washington Republicans’ Reckless Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after House Republicans forced the federal government to shut down at midnight.

“Virginia is home to tens of thousands of federal workers, contractors, and service members who keep our country running. Tonight, they are once again being forced to wonder when they will get their next paycheck — not because they failed to do their jobs, but because lawmakers in Congress failed to do theirs.

“As their Representative, a 25-year Army officer, and as the husband of a former federal employee, I know the uncertainty and strain shutdowns place on families. My family has lived through it. That is why I directed the U.S. House to withhold my salary until the government is back open — because working families know the truth: if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. Members of Congress should play by the same rules.

“In March, I introduced bipartisan legislation to block lawmakers from receiving pay during shutdowns. I will continue pressing to make sure Congress is held to the same standard as those we serve.

“I do not want a shutdown. I strongly support a responsible, bipartisan budget — one that protects Virginians’ health care, invests in our public schools, and lowers costs for hardworking families. What I cannot do in good faith is support a partisan plan that sells out my constituents and further punishes public servants.

“Trump and his rubber-stamp Republicans have chosen to hurt Virginia families instead of working across the aisle. It’s past time they come to the table so we can find real solutions, reopen the government, and deliver for the people we serve.”

Constituents can find resources for federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by the shutdown on vindman.house.gov under the ‘Services’ tab.

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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Turns Down Pay During Shutdown to Support Federal Workers and Contractors 

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), who represents over 36,000 federal workers and contractors, announced he will not take pay during the Republican government shutdown. Congressman Subramanyam is championing legislation to halt pay for members of Congress during shutdowns and provide resources and benefits for federal workers and contractors during this period.

“Government shutdowns are devastating to Virginia families and small businesses. While Republicans force this shutdown and federal workers and contractors go without pay, I will not accept a paycheck and will continue to stand up for the men and women who protect our communities,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “This shutdown was completely avoidable, and I will continue to fight for Virginians hurt by Republicans’ inability to pass a budget.”

View the full letter here.

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Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04):

“Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the White House. They had every tool at their disposal to avoid a government shutdown. Yet their actions, or lack thereof, these past few weeks have caused immense uncertainty for millions of Americans and their livelihoods, amidst a health care and affordability crisis of their own making.

In Virginia, our economy and communities will be hit especially hard by this shutdown. As the state with the second highest number of federal employees, we will see workers unsure when to expect their next paycheck, small businesses waiting on loans to process and families worried about what the future holds.

Hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose their health insurance due to draconian Medicaid cuts in the Republicans’ Big Ugly Law and their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits. Health care costs for the rest of us will rise and providers will close or cut services. This goes beyond insulting — it’s cruel.

From day one of the 119th Congress, Democrats have stood ready to craft bipartisan funding legislation that meets the needs of the American people, just as we did in December. Republicans have rejected us at every turn.

From a March extension that hurt veterans, seniors and children to the Big Ugly Law that ripped health care and food assistance from millions and now this government shutdown, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans decided they would rather raise health care premiums, shut down the government and lay off our federal workforce than take action.

My House Democrat colleagues and I remain in Washington ready to negotiate a bipartisan government funding bill that ensures the health, safety and economic well-being of every American and addresses the health care crisis. I urge Republicans to return to Washington and work with us to do just that and end their shutdown.”

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Scott Statement on GOP Government Shutdown

September 30, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the federal government entered a shutdown: 

“Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Congressional Democrats are in Washington ready to negotiate to keep the government open, while protecting the health care of the American people. House Republicans, regrettably, cancelled votes for this week and last week, and sent their members home.

“Congressional Republicans have supported a seven-week continuing resolution in order to negotiate. However, they have been aware of the September 30th funding deadline since March, yet have refused to engage in any negotiations thus far – not in the last seven days or in the last two days. So, it is difficult to see how this is anything other than another simple delay. And President Trump, instead of working to find a solution, posted a racist, AI-generated video yesterday mocking Democratic leaders, and threatened to fire massive numbers of federal workers. He failed to say how these firings would be different from what his administration has been doing for months; nor did he say he would not fire additional employees if the government stayed open.

“Democrats want to negotiate a spending deal that protects the health care of Americans who are now at risk due to President Trump’s Big Ugly Law. These impacts are real. Rural health facilities are already closing, including several in Virginia. And millions of Americans will see increased health care costs because of the relentless Republican attacks on the Affordable Care Act. If Republicans are serious about governing, keeping the government open and helping working families, they should return to Washington immediately and engage in serious bipartisan negotiations.”

Congressman Scott’s Washington and Newport News offices will remain open during the shutdown and his staff will be available to assist constituents. 

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Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08): “During my telephone town hall last night, a constituent asked if Members of Congress get paid during a shutdown. I told her yes they do because of the 27th Amendment, but I will have mine withheld for the duration of a shutdown in solidarity with federal workers.”

“Republican responses as Dems seek bipartisan talks to stop a shutdown and lower healthcare costs: – Recessed the House – Cancelled White House meeting – Recessed the Senate – Refused to negotiate – “Go f*** yourself” – Trump posted a racist AI video – Shut down House session”

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DPVA Chairman Senator Lamont Bagby Issues Statement on MAGA Shutdown and More Potential Firings of Virginia Workers

Richmond, Virginia – In response to MAGA Republicans, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Senator Lamont Bagby issued the following statement regarding the MAGA shutdown of the federal government and Trump’s plan to use the shutdown to fire more Virginians:

“MAGA Republicans, including Representatives Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman, helped Donald Trump create a healthcare crisis in Virginia – and Winsome Earle-Sears has cheered it on,” Bagby said.

“Premiums will skyrocket for those buying healthcare on the ACA exchange next month and hundreds of thousands of Virginians will be kicked off Medicaid next year. But Virginia MAGA Republicans would rather march to the beat of Donald Trump’s drum and shut down the government than look out for their constituents.

MAGA chaos in Washington has raised the stakes of our elections here in Virginia. MAGA candidates, like Winsome Earle-Sears, are only interested in more tax cuts for billionaires and cutting healthcare to pay for it. They’re even willing to shut down the government to make this happen. Even worse, Trump and Republicans are escalating their attacks on Virginia’s workforce, planning to use the shutdown to pave the way for permanent firings.

We need to focus on driving down prices for Virginians and standing up for Virginia jobs – especially the price of health care. Virginians need to stand up to this nonsense by voting for Abigail Spanberger.”

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