Not only does Trump’s third shutdown hurt our economy, undermine critical government services, and leave more than 800,000 workers without paychecks just days before Christmas, but it also means the expiration of the Violence Against Women Act, and its critical protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Democrats have offered several compromises to end this shutdown, including a bill that passed unanimously in the Senate — and that the President previously promised to sign — which included sensible and effective border security funds. Trump needs to honor his commitments and understand that our democracy of divided government means not always getting everything you want. Holding government agencies and the America people hostage is not leadership, it’s a temper tantrum.