Government Shutdown Threatens Latino Communities and Burdens Local Leaders

Christy Martinez
Oct 1
2 min read

NALEO Educational Fund warns that while Washington gridlock continues, Latino

local elected officials must shoulder the consequences — delivering

solutions for their communities despite mounting challenges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund today released the following statement from CEO Erica Bernal-Martinez regarding the current government shutdown affecting millions of Americans:

“As Washington begins yet another government shutdown, it is our nation’s local leaders who will once again bear the burden of partisan gridlock. Unlike Congress and the administration, our members — Latino local elected officials across the country — do not have the luxury of stopping their work. Their communities cannot wait, and neither can they.

“Every day, they are solving problems, protecting services, and advancing a better quality of life for the families they represent. Even in the face of budget cuts, sluggish economies, and shrinking staff, our members step up. They are the leaders their communities need, the ones who cannot afford to wait for someone else to come to the rescue.

“A shutdown will only add to the obstacles our members already face. We recognize that leaders in Washington are fighting for policy priorities they believe are important for the American people, and those debates have real significance. But we cannot lose sight of the consequences. A shutdown will place an undue burden not only on our nation’s local leaders — who are already stretched thin — but also on the American people, who will feel the impacts in their daily lives as services are disrupted and uncertainty grows.

“Our members model what true leadership looks like. They know when to stand firm in defense of their communities and when to engage across differences to move forward. They embody the truth that real change requires both pressure and partnership.

“We call on Congress and the administration to resolve this shutdown swiftly, recognizing that their gridlock places an undue burden on local elected officials and the American people alike. At the same time, we want our members to know: you are not alone. NALEO Educational Fund stands firmly with you as you continue delivering for your communities.”

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About NALEO Educational Fund

NALEO Educational Fund is the nation's leading non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

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