Vance: Democrats Shut Down Government Over Dispute on Illegal Immigrants

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Senate Democrats of being responsible for the government shutdown after they insisted on funding health benefits for illegal immigrants costing hundreds of billions of dollars.

Vance said in an interview with Fox News: "The left wing of the Democrats shut down the government because we refused to pass massive allocations for healthcare for illegal immigrants," emphasizing that this provision is written in the bill presented by the Democrats, and is not just a political claim.

He added: "American taxpayers should benefit from these medical services, not those who are not legally residing here."

The Vice President stressed that Republicans do not oppose reducing healthcare costs and negotiating on them, but "not under the threat of a government shutdown," pointing out that military personnel and government employees are the first to be affected by the funding halt.

The new fiscal year in the United States began without a budget being passed, prompting federal authorities to suspend their operations. U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at using the shutdown period to restructure the government and cut some programs that Republicans oppose.