Dear Representative:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I am writing to express our support for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 (H.R. 21) and the continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019 (H.J. Res 1) both scheduled for floor consideration today.
The passage of these bills will be the first steps needed to reopen the federal government which is now going into the thirteenth day of a pointless shutdown. More than 380,000 federal employees have been locked out of their jobs and another 420,000 have been required to report to work—all denied a paycheck due to this shutdown. Furthermore, millions are losing the vital government services that we deserve and pay for.
America’s working families are looking to our Congressional leaders to bring an end to this travesty. The AFL-CIO calls on the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 21 and H.J. Res 1 taking the initial steps needed to reopen the federal government.
Sincerely,
William Samuel, Director
Government Affairs Department