Shutdown
Trump’s Government Shutdown
On December 21, 2018, President Trump and House Republicans shut down parts of the federal government in a shameful, partisan effort to force taxpayers to fund an expensive and ineffective border wall. As a result, 800,000 hardworking federal employees are either furloughed or forced to work without a paycheck for the duration of this shutdown. Millions of Americans are being affected as government services have been suspended, including having their tax refunds delayed, having home loan approvals delayed, seeing decreased security at airports, and being put at risk as national parks operate without staff or guides. House Democrats are working to reopen government, but President Trump and the Republican-led Senate have refused to take action to end this costly shutdown.
For the latest on the shutdown, see updates below:
For the latest on the shutdown, see updates below:
Related
Four times last week we passed bills to open up the government. Today, we passed a bill to open up the government. Holding us responsible for keeping us shut down is irrational.
Today, I brought to the Floor a continuing resolution to reopen the government through February 1 so that federal employees can get back to work serving the American people and receive the paychecks they’ve earned. One hundred eighty-seven Republicans voted to keep the government shut down.
Yesterday, the President said: "When it comes to keeping the American people safe, I will never, ever back down." But shutting down the government for 25 days and putting undue stress on hardworking TSA agents who are forced to work without pay is not making Americans any safer. Instead, it’s putting them at risk and causing chaos at our nation’s airports. Read more about how the shutdown is impacting air travel here:
Wanted to be sure you saw this Politico article highlighting the wide-reaching impacts of the shutdown across the federal government – inspections and investigations have been halted; tax refunds are delayed; furloughed judges mean the immigration courts backlog is worsening; and more. Key excerpts:
Representing the people of Maryland’s Fifth District, including the 62,000 federal employees, is one of my greatest honors. Every day, federal employees in Maryland and throughout the nation work hard to serve the American people by strengthening our national security, protecting our health and safety, and supporting economic development and the growth of prosperity.
Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the Republican leader, Mr. McCarthy, went on Face the Nation and said the following: ‘It is unacceptable that 800,000 U.S. employees are not being paid.’
President Trump’s government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history.
Doesn’t look great for President Trump and Congressional Republicans as they refuse to reopen government and end the Trump shutdown.
This week, House Democrats will bring to the Floor continuing resolutions to reopen government.
This shutdown is not just hurting federal employees or government contractors or small businesses that operate near federal agencies. It is having a wide-ranging, negative impact on our economy and affecting Americans across the country.