FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, February 28, 2025
PRESS CONTACT:
esperanza@focalpointstrategygroup.com
Washington, D.C. – With just 15 days until a potential government shutdown, congressional Republicans are attempting to place blame on Democrats for stalled funding negotiations. Democratic members are standing firm to defend our nation’s system of checks and balances, pushing back against Trump and Musk’s attempts to undermine and dismantle the federal government with drastic funding cuts and the elimination of critical programs – throwing the lives of everyday Americans across the country into chaos.
Despite holding control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republicans are flailing in their attempt to shift blame to Democrats. They’ve stood by and watched as Trump and Musk run roughshod over their own constituents’ needs and priorities, leaving them to later “beg” the Administration to restart funding congressional Republicans had already supported.
The demands from Democrats are neither extreme nor unreasonable. Ending Trump’s illegal funding freezes is in the interest of all members of Congress. Republicans must recognize the consequences of enabling Trump’s overreach and should prioritize the needs of their constituents—not the imperial desires of Donald Trump.
Congressional Integrity Project Senior Advisor Charlie Ellsworth issued the following statement on behalf of the Checks and Balances War Room:
“No one should be confused by who is hell bent on shutting down the government.
The Trump Administration triggered a government shutdown on January 28, a move they are still defending in court. Since then, Congressional Republicans have done nothing of substance to defend Congress’s power of the purse. Their current position is that the Trump-Musk Administration should have the authority to shut down any part of the government they don’t like at any time and for any reason.
Democrats, on the other hand, have been working to stop the Administration from harming everyday Americans across the country. Congressional Republicans can attempt to point the finger across the aisle, but the American people know it’s on Republicans to end this crisis and reopen the government they control.”