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Laredo Officials Warn of Severe Impact From Potential Government Shutdown
Border trade, health care, and federal workers would be hit hard, leaders say.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:55pm
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Laredo officials, including the mayor and a U.S. congressman, warned that even a brief federal government shutdown could have immediate and disproportionate effects on the border city's economy, trade activity, and residents who rely on federal services. They called on federal leaders to avoid a lapse in funding, saying a shutdown would disrupt commerce, slow down border crossings, and create economic uncertainty for small businesses and workers.
Why it matters
Laredo is heavily dependent on federal operations tied to border trade, health care, and public services, so a government shutdown would hit the city particularly hard. Officials are concerned about the impact on families, veterans, and federal workers, as well as the broader economic consequences for the local community.
The details
Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar held a joint announcement warning that a government shutdown would cause "serious harm" to Laredo's most vulnerable residents and local economy. They said a shutdown would disrupt commerce, slow down border crossings, and create economic uncertainty for small businesses and workers. Cuellar noted that Congress has passed 6 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, with discussions underway to advance most of the remaining measures through a short-term continuing resolution, though he acknowledged the possibility of a "low short, short" shutdown.
- Congress faces a shutdown deadline on January 31, 2026.
The players
Dr. Victor Trevino
The mayor of Laredo, Texas.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar
A U.S. congressman representing Laredo and the surrounding area.
Melissa Cigarroa
A Laredo City Council member who weighed in on the broader conversation around federal agencies and community impact.
What they’re saying
“A shutdown like this causes serious harm, and it causes harm to our most vulnerable residents, to Laredo and (the) local economy.”
— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo
“Shutting down the government is not leadership. It's a failure to protect the people.”
— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo
“There might be a low short, short, and I emphasize short shutdown.”
— U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar
“When we talk about a government shutdown and we talk about the loss of services to people … what policies change, how situations change is when we the people insist that our representatives change them.”
— Melissa Cigarroa, Laredo City Council member
What’s next
Congress has until the end of the day on January 31, 2026, to reach a funding agreement and avoid a government shutdown.
The takeaway
A government shutdown would have a disproportionate impact on Laredo, a border city heavily dependent on federal operations for trade, health care, and public services. Officials are urging Congress to avoid a lapse in funding to protect the local economy and vulnerable residents.
