Katie Porter: “Huge critical elements of our Federal Government have now been shut down for 26 days. 800,000 blameless Federal…”

“Huge critical elements of our Federal Government have now been shut down for 26 days. 800,000 blameless Federal employees have already missed their paychecks, and they don't know when their next paychecks are coming. These furloughed workers are in crisis. They are facing impending loan defaults, utility shutoffs, long-term reductions in their credit scores, and potentially foreclosure or eviction proceedings. They are unable to buy necessities for themselves and their families, including necessary medications like insulin. About 42,000 of those Federal workers are in my home State of California, and they are hurting. The costs of housing are a real challenge for families in my district, California's 45th. Thousands of Orange County residents rely on Federal affordable housing programs to pay the rent each month. Nationwide, this shutdown has already forced the expiration of over 1,100 rental assistance contracts between the government and private landlords and developers. These housing units are at risk of being permanently removed from our affordable housing stock. In my district, California's 45th, the tenants of 749 homes rely on the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help pay their monthly rent. Our local Public Housing Authority distributes those funds to needy families. As required by law, 75 percent of these funds help applicants who are low-income.…”