Oil Change Response to Anticipated Government Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2025

In anticipation of the U.S. government shutting down at midnight tonight, Collin Rees, Oil Change International United States Campaign Manager, released the following statement: 

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are showing once again that they work for billionaires and fossil fuel CEOs, not everyday people. They’re shutting down the government to defend cuts to healthcare for working families. 

“Trump and his cronies won’t fund healthcare – but they have funded massive giveaways to the polluting corporations that make us sick and cause climate chaos. In June, Trump and Congressional Republicans voted through an additional $4 billion in annual handouts to the fossil fuel industry, on top of the $31 billion in yearly government giveaways it was already set to receive. Just this week, the Trump administration gave an additional $625 million in public subsidies to the coal industry, which is notorious for causing asthma, lung cancer, and premature death. 

“If our government worked in the interests of working-class people, rather than the ultrawealthy, there would be more than enough public money to ensure everyone has access to healthcare, clean air and water, and a livable climate. Our leaders must stand strong against Trump’s attacks on everyday people and fight to ensure our public dollars pay for the things our communities need to thrive, not more handouts to fossil fuel CEOs and billionaires.” 

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Note to Editors: 

• A new Oil Change International report this month on annual U.S. federal subsidies to coal, oil, and gas production found nearly $35 billion per year in public handouts to fossil fuel companies: https://oilchange.org/paying-for-climate-chaos