Shutdown Averted?
December 03, 2018
Categories:
The Insider
Lawmakers are reportedly close to agreeing on a two-week stopgap bill that would fund the government through Dec. 21, potentially averting a government shutdown, for now. According to news reports, the House is set to approve the measure this week and the Senate is expected to quickly follow suit. President Trump has said he would be willing to sign the bill.
“If [lawmakers] come—which they have—to talk about an extension because of President Bush’s passing, I would absolutely consider it and probably give it,” Trump said while traveling on Air Force One.
The federal government's current funding runs out at midnight Dec 8. Trump had earlier threatened to shut down the government if he doesn’t get the $5 billion solely for the construction of the border wall.
If the new stopgap measure is passed in Congress and signed, the Legislature will have until the end of Dec. 21 to pass the remaining funding bills.
Out of 12 appropriations bills, only five have been signed into law. The seven remaining funding bills are:
1. Homeland Security
2. Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
3. Interior, Environment and Related Agencies
4. Financial Services and General Government
5. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
6. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies
7. State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies
Our union is urging Congress to keep the government open
Our union has sent a letter to members of the U.S. House and Senate urging them to keep the government open and to pass a pay adjustment of at least 1.9% for federal workers in 2019.
The letter touched on the dangers posed by a shutdown and the need for a proper pay adjustment for the 2.1 million federal workers who keep the country running.
“Government shutdowns, partial or otherwise, have a negative impact not only on federal employees who are either forced to work without a paycheck for the duration of the funding lapse, or else locked out of their jobs altogether,” said Cox in the letter. “These shutdowns also undermine and disrupt the operations of affected agencies and programs, and thereby hurt all citizens who rely upon the services, support and protection these federal operations routinely provide. As such, I urge you to resist efforts by those who would use a government shutdown as leverage to pass divisive, unpopular legislation. Shutting down the government should not be the way we resolve disputes over controversial policies.”
Please view our letter to the House and our letter to the Senate.
Join the movement to stop the shutdown
Our government funding should never be used as a political pawn. Join and ask your co-workers to join our union today to make our voice heard.
