With just days left before the federal government runs out of funding, Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) sounded the alarm about what she says is a looming and avoidable shutdown. In a video update recorded as she wrapped up Climate Week in New York, Stansbury shared concern that critical government services — and the people who depend on them — could be thrown into chaos if Congress fails to act by the September 30 deadline.
Stansbury began by outlining how the federal budget process works, reminding viewers that it’s Congress’s constitutional duty to appropriate funds and the president’s responsibility to keep the government operating. Yet, she said, negotiations have broken down. According to Stansbury, House Republicans have refused to advance funding bills that could pass in both chambers, canceled scheduled votes, and walked away from discussions that might have produced a bipartisan deal.
She also highlighted reports that some Republican leaders are not just willing to risk a shutdown but preparing to use it to cut federal jobs. Stansbury cited a memo, reported by Politico, instructing agencies to brace for potential mass layoffs rather than use leftover funds to sustain essential functions. “Prepare to fire federal employees,” the guidance allegedly warned — a move she sees as a deliberate effort to shrink government by force rather than policy.
For Stansbury, the stakes are clear: a shutdown would disrupt services millions rely on — from food assistance to veterans’ benefits — and would place workers, families, and small businesses under unnecessary strain. “We’re going to show up for work on Monday,” she promised, saying Democrats remain committed to keeping government open and functioning for the people they serve.
Beyond the immediate budget crisis, Stansbury shared hope from her time at Climate Week, where she engaged with global leaders and activists focused on environmental action. She said these conversations underscored that the world is still looking to the U.S. for leadership — a reminder, she added, of why stable governance matters.
As the deadline nears, Stansbury urged Americans to stay informed and engaged. Her message was straightforward: leaders should put aside political games, return to the table, and pass a budget that protects essential services and the nation’s workforce.
Source: Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury
