League Urges House and Senate to Re-Open the Government

The League sent a memo to the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate urging them to pass a bill that re-opens the government and to defend it with a veto-proof majority. This is now the longest government shutdown in American history and it's time to stop playing political games with the lives of constituents. 

January 23, 2019

To: Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate

From: Chris Carson, President

Re: Call on Congress to Re-Open Government

The League of Women Voters calls on Congress to pass a bill that re-opens the government without wasting taxpayer money on an unnecessary wall, and to defend it with a veto-proof majority. 

The League supports legislative processes characterized by accountability, representativeness, decision making capability, and effective performance. Congress has the knowledge, resources, and power to end the government shutdown to meet the needs of the people and reconcile priorities in the best interest of the public, including the 800,000 government workers who are directly impacted by this unnecessary impasse.

This is now the longest shutdown in American history and it’s time to stop playing political games with the lives of constituents.

Across the country right now, government workers are uncertain how they will pay their bills and feed their families as this shutdown persists. Critical government services including food assistance for needy Americans, agriculture subsidies for farmers, and health services on tribal lands are already threatened, causing anxiety for millions of our most vulnerable citizens. 

The shutdown also threatens our national security by forcing the men and women that makeup agencies like the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Coast Guard on the job without pay. All of these agencies, and others like Customs and Border Control and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are critical to ensuring the safety of our citizens and our country.
 
Considering the president’s refusal to act dutifully in the capacity of his office, it is incumbent upon the House and Senate to work together across party lines to pass a budget with a veto-proof majority. 
 
Again, we call on Congress to pass a bill that re-opens the government without wasting taxpayer money on an unnecessary wall, and to defend it with a veto-proof majority.