Government Shuts Down in the Face of Massive Public Support for DREAM and CHIP

“Despite bipartisan solutions and overwhelming public support for both the Children’s Health Insurance Program and a path to citizenship for DREAMers, Republican leaders in Congress have chosen to shut down our government rather than reach compromise on our nation’s most pressing issues,” said Young Invincibles’ Government Affairs Director, Reid Setzer. “A manufactured choice between helping sick children and deporting young teachers, students, and veterans is no choice at all. Congress’ failure to reach a deal will result in more DREAMers staring down possible deportation from the only country they’ve ever known, increased insecurity for families as the Children’s Health Insurance Program continues to languish, and the potential waste of billions of dollars that could be used to ensure desperately needed access to health care, higher education, and workforce training. There is one path forward: a compromise package that re-opens the government and enacts the priorities of Millennials and the nation writ large. We urge Republican leadership and the President to reach an agreement with Democratic leadership to do that as soon as possible.”