WASHINGTON – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) released the following statement tonight responding to President Trump’s address:

“Within hours of being sworn-in for the 116th Congress, the House passed bipartisan legislation that Senate Republicans had already passed in December to fund and reopen the government. This shutdown, which is affecting millions of families, is a manufactured crisis.

“I am a third-generation veteran and understand that we must protect all of our borders (land, air and sea) and pass bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, but there are more efficient and more cost-effective ways to securing our borders than by building a costly southern border wall. By holding our government hostage, the President is harming our national security, hurting the very citizens he promised to elevate, and crippling our economy.

“This shutdown has already lasted 18 days and 800,000 federal workers are at risk of losing their paychecks. Millions more are unable to access services our government should be providing. We have already voted to reopen the government. I will continue to work to serve our district and restore a functioning American government.”

Representative Chrissy Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County.

###