Press Release

Today, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) introduced the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Raise Fairness Act of 2019, which would bring the 2019 pay increase for civilian federal employees in line with the raise given to members of the military.

While I am relieved that the President is finally willing to allow 800,000 federal employees get back to work and receive the paychecks they are due – and restore critical services to millions of Americans – it is deeply angering that he inflicted deep uncertainty and economic insecurity on Americans across the country for no reason for the past thirty-five days.

Congress must take action to protect the special counsel’s investigation, in light of today’s arrest of Roger Stone and the other indictments of the President’s close associates.

The Trump-McConnell shutdown is not a game and has real-world consequences to our economy and the well-being of millions of Americans.

After refusing to hold votes on reopening government for more than a month, Senate Republicans voted to continue the Trump-McConnell shutdown today, irresponsibly ignoring the suffering of millions of Americans who are being impacted. 

The people of Venezuela have suffered under the yoke of the Chavez-Maduro regime and yearn for a return to democracy.  

It is a stupid, irresponsible, and dangerous policy that [Republicans] are pursuing by keeping the government shut down.

Thank you very much, Jimmy. Congressman Panetta, of course, comes from a family that has made extraordinary contributions to the defense of our country and to the strengthening of our alliances.