Washington, D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s xenophobic immigration policies and the ongoing government shutdown from President Gene Karpinski:

“This isn’t a reality TV show without consequences. Millions of people are being harmed by Trump’s ridiculous government shutdown, from federal employees and contractors going without paychecks to families hoping to visit our national parks. Scientists have been locked out of their research labs, the EPA has stopped monitoring air quality, and we’ve broken our obligations to Native American tribes – but Trump’s Interior Department is continuing to approve drilling permits on our public lands, showing again that their priorities lie with polluting special interests.

“Tonight, Trump continued to pin the blame on immigrant families who this administration has treated maliciously since the beginning. Don’t believe his lies. Trump and Republicans in Congress whom refuse to vote on reopening the government own the consequences of this shutdown. They could reopen the government tomorrow if they stop holding the livelihoods of federal workers hostage. It’s time to end this madness.”