Governor McKee Statement on Federal Government Shutdown

Published on Wednesday, October 01, 2025

PROVIDENCE, RI — In response to the federal government shutdown, Governor Dan McKee today made the following statement:

“As your Governor, I’ve made it clear that affordability—particularly for health coverage—is my top priority.

“A central issue driving the government shutdown is a disagreement that, if left unresolved, could have serious financial consequences for Rhode Island families. Without action, those who go to renew their health coverage through HealthSourceRI later this fall could see their monthly premiums more than double—with some facing increases as high as 340%. 

“I support Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation as they fight to keep health coverage accessible and affordable.

“Shutdowns create real consequences for real people. We need President Trump to step up and lead — not divide.

“Instead, we’ve seen chaos: military troops deployed in the streets, attacks on the First Amendment, and now a government shutdown that threatens critical services our families rely on. He must choose responsible governance over political stunts. The American people deserve steady leadership — not fear, confusion, and disruption.

“In the weeks leading up to the shutdown, I’ve been meeting with my budget team to prepare. We activated our shutdown protocol across all state agencies, including drawing down as much federal funding as possible.

“We are actively monitoring the situation, especially programs that rely on federal funding like SNAP and WIC. These programs remain stable for now, but the longer the shutdown continues, the greater the risk of disruption.

“Over 8,500 federal workers in Rhode Island are now facing uncertainty. Our team at the Department of Labor & Training stands ready to assist those workers and help them access Unemployment Insurance as quickly and smoothly as possible Our team is following the situation closely and will provide updates as things evolve.

“I call on President Trump and Congressional Republicans to do the right thing: protect access to health care and end the shutdown.”