news

Members of Congress, led by newly-elected Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), today sent a message to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding the current government shutdown and the Senate’s failure to consider compromise legislation to reopen the government. Hoping to move the top Congressional Republican, Members attached dozens of personal stories submitted to them by constituents detailing their experiences since the shutdown began 32 days ago.

“We are five weeks into the longest shutdown in American history and the top Republican in Congress has been missing in action and is refusing to bring good faith legislation to the floor for a vote,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “We hope these stories help Leader McConnell put a face to the pain and suffering this shutdown in causing.”

Members have heard from thousands of their constituents all over the country whose lives and families have been directly affected by the shutdown.

“I have a significant pre-existing condition and worry for not only my health but the financial security of our family.” - Rockville, Maryland

“Many of our elderly residents are in jeopardy of not receiving their much-needed food stamps if the government shutdown does not end by the end of January 2019. These necessary funds for food are for basic survival due to their low incomes.” - Lithonia, Georgia

“If the shutdown goes on much longer I will be forced to take money out of my kids’ college funds and my retirement savings. That comes with penalties that I’ll never get back.” - Frederick, Maryland

“I’m getting worried about my mortgage payment coming up, I barely managed to ensure my student loans are paid for this month, and now I have to worry about food and other bills.”  - Denver, Colorado

“We have already been punished by this situation; we had to entirely give up our Christmas and I had to look at my kids and ask that they hold their money so we could buy food if this shutdown continued.” - Manassas, Virginia

“Some of us are young professionals just starting out, without a lot of savings, paying student loans after receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some of us are the only source of income for our young families. Some of us are veterans. Now that we’re facing work without pay, I worry for my colleagues’ health, physical and mental.” - Essex Junction, Vermont

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s office has also been collecting Trump Shutdown stories through https://trumpshutdownstories.us/. These stories are essential in this debate, and many are urging President Trump to compromise and reopen the government so it can work on behalf of the American people.

Complete list of signers: Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Donald S. Beyer Jr, Anthony G. Brown, Cheri Bustos, David N. Cicilline, Gilbert R. Cisneros , Katherine M. Clark, Gerald E. Connolly, Diana DeGette, Mark DeSaulnier, Anna G. Eshoo, Alcee L. Hastings, Sheila Jackson Lee, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Zoe Lofgren, James P. McGovern, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jamie Raskin, Max Rose, Harley Rouda, Jan Schakowsky, Lori Trahan, David Trone, Peter Welch, Susan Wild

The letter can be found here and the collection of stories here.