Political Quotes

“today I want to discuss legislation I am introducing, the End Shutdown Act. When Congress is unable to come to an agreement about government funding, Federal employees, government contractors, and Americans who depend on critical government services all suffer the consequences of using government shutdowns as a negotiating tactic. This bill prevents government shutdowns by initiating an automatic continuing resolution on October 1 if no appropriations bill is passed by that date and stops Congress from considering any nonemergency legislation until it reaches a long-term spending deal. For Federal employees who are forced to go without a paycheck through no fault of their own during a government shutdown, furlough can mean falling behind on mortgage, rent, or student loan payments and uncertainty about how to put food on the table for their families. I am glad my colleagues and I were able to guarantee backpay for all Federal employees in 2019, but the potential for prolonged shutdowns continues to threaten families' budgets and local economies. Virginia is home to more than 170,000 Federal employees and tens of thousands of Federal contractors. They are not a bargaining chip to be played in these negotiations. Government shutdowns disproportionately harm Virginia's economy, but over 80 percent of Federal workers live and work outside of the DC area.…”