Preston Blasts Federal Shutdown as Blow to Black Americans, Working Families (Chicago, IL) – Illinois state Sen. Willie Preston, a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, sharply criticized the federal government shutdown Wednesday, calling it “another straw on the backs of Black America and working families” imposed by wealthy lawmakers.
Preston, who chairs the Illinois Senate Black Legislative Caucus, urged congressional Democrats to hold firm in negotiations and fight to restore cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
“This Congress is made up of so many out-of-touch millionaires — and the federal government is run literally by billionaires — all of whom have forgotten or never known what it’s like to miss a meal, have their utilities shut off or had their credit card declined,” Preston said in a statement.
He warned that the shutdown will hit the most vulnerable Americans hardest, including families relying on SNAP benefits, seniors waiting on Social Security claims, and federal workers facing missed paychecks. He also noted the disproportionate impact on Black women in the federal workforce.
“With an economy that is in freefall, with inflation making trips to the grocery store a total nightmare, we are stuck in this position once again,” Preston said. “These shutdowns will only hurt the poor and vulnerable the most.”
Preston argued that the spending cuts driving the shutdown are part of a broader “war on the federal workforce” and a “rigged economy” that continues to erode the stability of working- and middle-class families.
“If Congressional Democrats stand firm on restoring the unconscionable cuts to Obamacare and Medicaid then maybe — just maybe — something good can come out of this,” he said.
Preston Blasts Federal Shutdown as Blow to Black Americans, Working Families
