Washington, DC, November 12, 2025– The National Parents Union released the following statement on the end of the government shutdown:
“After 42 painful days of chaos, uncertainty, and cruelty – the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history has finally come to an end.
While 42 million Americans went without their food benefits and thousands of federal workers missed paychecks, the U.S. House of Representatives – under the so-called leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson – was nowhere to be found. They went on vacation. They walked away. In one of the most critical moments for American families, they simply didn’t show up, instead choosing to protect the President by shutting down the House in an effort to delay and interfere with the release of the Epstein files.
And now, millions of families will pay the price. Twenty million Americans will see their healthcare costs double or even triple because Congressional Republicans refused to extend ACA tax credits in the final continuing resolution. That is not governance – it’s negligence. And families who are already stretched to their breaking point will feel these consequences for months, if not years.
Let’s be clear:
Taking food away from children is not leadership.
Ripping healthcare away from families is not leadership.
Inflicting pain on working people just to score political points is absolute cruelty.
On November 1, one in five children lost their SNAP benefits. Parents had to choose between paying the rent, the light bill, or feeding their kids. This shutdown forced impossible choices on families who deserve better from the people elected to serve them.
The National Parents Union stands with every parent who struggled through these 41 days. And let me assure you: we will not forget who chose political theater over the well-being of America’s children. Parents are paying attention. We see who’s fighting for us and who’s hurting us. And we will hold every single one of our leaders accountable.
Because families should never be collateral damage in a political game.”