Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Grijalva released the following statement after voting no on the continuing resolution to fund the federal government until January 19, 2018.

“The Republicans in Congress hold the numerical power to pass the continuing resolution without one Democrat voting for it,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Any potential scenario where the government shuts down rests in their hands. Despite repeated attempts by Democrats towards creating a bi-partisan continuing resolution that incorporates what the majority of Americans want, Republicans have rejected all efforts. For Republicans, passing short-term continuing resolutions every couple of months may seem like good governance, but for the rest of America, it means placing programs like CHIP, community health centers, veterans funding, and emergency disaster relief in limbo.

“I cannot and will not support any continuing resolution that ignores one of the most urgent issues before Congress, protecting DREAMers. My commitment to passing a clean DREAM Act has not waivered. Congressional Republican leaders need to show their human decency and call for a vote. As Democrats have said time and time again, if a vote were called, the bill would pass. The future of DREAMers and the need for an immediate and permanent legislative relief has once again been denied, and in the meantime more than 12,000 recipients have lost their status and more continue to face the same fate every day. Funding for CHIP and veterans has been punted to a later date setting up a perfect storm for a funding crisis in March.

“Republican’s failure to work with Democrats means that any government shutdown would be their responsibility alone. I have not given up and my conditions for supporting any continuing resolution stand.”