OPINION:
If a federal shutdown occurs, Democrats will be solely to blame for jeopardizing programs vital to American families.
As the threat of a government shutdown looms over Washington, Americans deserve to know who is truly responsible. This crisis is not the result of fiscal prudence or a careful budgeting process. It is the inevitable consequence of Democrats’ reckless spending agenda, which prioritizes illegal immigration and wasteful programs over the needs of American citizens.
President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have repeatedly demonstrated that responsible leadership means putting America first. Their administration has focused on securing our borders, reducing unnecessary government spending and ensuring taxpayer dollars directly benefit American families. Under their leadership, federal agencies have streamlined programs to ensure critical services such as Social Security, Medicare, and the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC, continue to operate efficiently for those who depend on them most.
Yet Democrats in Congress continue to push a budget that adds trillions of dollars in spending. Much of it is directed toward expanding benefits for illegal immigrants and funding programs that do not directly improve the lives of working Americans. Federal outlays already exceed $6 trillion annually, with mandatory spending on entitlement programs accounting for nearly two-thirds of the federal budget. Meanwhile, discretionary spending, including funds for defense, border security and essential domestic programs, faces pressure from new, unsustainable commitments.
One of the most immediate risks from a potential shutdown is the WIC program, which provides nutritious food for millions of low-income mothers and children. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that WIC serves more than 6.7 million participants each month, including 41% of all infants in the U.S. A shutdown would disrupt funding, placing these vulnerable families at risk of losing access to essential nutrition. In addition, hundreds of thousands of federal employees could face furloughs and small businesses dependent on government contracts could experience payment delays.
The last government shutdown in 2018-2019 cost the economy an estimated $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It caused long-term disruptions to federal operations and taxpayer services.
The Trump-Vance administration has offered reasonable alternatives to prevent a shutdown while controlling spending. Its proposals prioritize domestic infrastructure, border security and programs that directly serve American citizens, all without adding trillions of dollars to the national debt.
In contrast, Democrats insist on bloated budgets, refusing to compromise or prioritize fiscal responsibility. Their spending proposals include billions of dollars in additional benefits for illegal immigrants, increased subsidies for programs with little measurable benefit and continued funding for wasteful bureaucratic projects. These priorities ignore the economic realities of working families, some who are still struggling with inflation, higher interest rates and high household costs created by years of the left’s failed economic policies.
It is critical to recognize that a government shutdown is not accidental; it is a political choice. Democrats have refused to negotiate in good faith, putting essential services at risk. From WIC benefits to federal payroll, the consequences will ripple across the nation, affecting families, businesses and communities. By contrast, the Trump-Vance administration has consistently demonstrated that the government can operate efficiently when leadership prioritizes Americans first rather than catering to political agendas threatening fiscal stability.
The stakes are high. Federal employees’ paychecks, veterans’ services, Social Security processing, and border security operations could all be disrupted if Congress fails to act. Millions of American families rely on essential programs that Democrats have chosen to hold hostage in pursuit of their political priorities. Meanwhile, the national debt continues to rise, now exceeding $37 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury, threatening the long-term economic security of all Americans.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance have shown that putting America first means protecting taxpayers, funding critical services and enforcing fiscal discipline. They have proposed responsible measures that maintain government operations without saddling future generations with more debt. The responsibility now falls squarely on Democrats: Either negotiate in good faith and prevent a shutdown, or accept the political and human consequences of their choices.
History will remember this moment clearly. A shutdown is avoidable, but only if Congress abandons its reckless spending priorities and works with the Trump-Vance administration to safeguard American families. Failure to do so will be entirely on the Democrats, whose obsession with expanding government spending threatens the economy and the welfare of millions of Americans who rely on the programs they have pledged to protect.
The choice is clear: Democrats can act responsibly or imperil the country. The American people are watching, and they will hold them accountable.
• Jorge Martinez is senior adviser and national director for Hispanic outreach for America First Works. He previously served as press secretary for the U.S. Department of Justice.
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