Government Shutdown Risks Food Safety as Radicals Push Healthcare for Illegal Aliens

Washington, D.C.—Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Hannah Anderson, Director of Healthy America and Senior Director of Policy, regarding the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on food safety inspections:

“This government shutdown is placing certain food safety activities at risk and imposing strain and uncertainty on U.S. food supply chains. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been compelled to reduce operations, resulting in the suspension or delay of routine inspections for produce, packaged foods, and the facilities in which they are manufactured; the agency is now limited to addressing emergencies and high-risk cases only.

These reductions may undermine our safeguards against contaminated or counterfeit food entering the supply chain and heighten the potential for increased foodborne illnesses among American families.

Meanwhile, radicals in Congress are exploiting the shutdown to advance taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. They seem to be more concerned about those breaking our laws than the safety and well-being of Americans. This is a profound misalignment of priorities.

Progressive extremists in Congress must act immediately to resolve this shutdown and prioritize the needs of Americans, including supply chains. Our health and food security should not be leveraged as bargaining chips in Washington disputes.”