FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
AFT Maryland Responds to
Government Shutdown & Attacks
on American Health Care
BALTIMORE, MD — Following the federal government shutting down overnight, AFT Maryland condemns the reckless actions of President Trump and Congressional Republicans that brought us to this point, a deliberate choice to prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy over the health and well-being of working families.
In response to the government shutdown, AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell released the following statement:
“This administration and its allies in Congress will stop at nothing to continue pushing its agenda to upend the daily lives and critical resources Americans rely on, including hundreds of thousands right here in Maryland.
“Instead of prioritizing the needs of the people they are meant to represent and passing a budget that protects our health care and keeps costs from rising even further – an issue they manufactured – President Trump and his lackeys are too caught up catering to the wealthy elite, willing to go as far as shutting down the government and jeopardizing Americans' livelihoods in the process.
“Working families are already paying the price for this administration's chaos. And this shutdown is a direct attack on Maryland's economy. More than 269,000 federal workers could miss their next paycheck, dealing a blow to the state’s economy and its ability to pay state workers, fund schools, and support local communities. That ripple effect will reach each and every one of our members and families across the state.
“It's time for pragmatism over pride. Stop playing games – in which everyone loses – and work with Democrats to protect health care, keep costs down, and keep the government open.”
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