Skip to main content

Democratic Women’s Caucus Blasts Republicans’ Record Shutdown; Demands Action to Save Health Care & Open the Government

November 5, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Wednesday, November 5, the Republican government shutdown became the longest in our country’s history, surpassing Trump’s 35-day shutdown in 2019. Republicans control the presidency, House of Representatives, and the Senate, yet continue to fail to feed women and families, lower costs for the American people, protect health care, and reopen the government.

Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair, Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), and Vice Chairs Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13), released the following statement:

“Since day one of this administration, Trump and Republicans have attacked women and families at every turn—including relentless cuts to health care. Their record-breaking shutdown is yet another shameful way to make history. During the Republican shutdown, we have met with countless women who are struggling to choose between paying skyrocketing health care costs and keeping a roof over their heads. We have heard the pleas of grandmothers who don’t know where their next meal will come from without fully funded SNAP benefits, and the cries of moms who don’t know where to send their children with Head Start programs closed. Republican cuts are undermining programs that serve women and families across the country, including those in their own districts. 

Why don’t Republicans care? America’s women and families deserve so much better. We demand that Republicans join us at the negotiating table immediately to reach a bipartisan agreement that reopens the government, makes health care more affordable, and drives down the cost of living for the American people.”

###