Federal Employees Union Urges Congress to End Shutdown with Clean Funding Bill

In a significant shift, the nation’s largest federal employees union has called on Congress to prioritize a clean funding proposal from Republicans to end the government shutdown. This decision comes as concerns grow over the possible impact on crucial services like air travel and food safety.

Urgent Call to Action

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), emphasized the urgency in a recent statement. The union, which represents over 80,000 members, criticized the ongoing shutdown as an "avoidable crisis" affecting essential public services.

“It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship,” Kelley stated. “They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected.”

The Need for a Clean Continuing Resolution

Kelley urged Congress to adopt a clean continuing resolution, which would allow for continued debate on longer-term issues while immediately restoring funding to federal workers. Here’s what he suggested:

• Immediate Reopening: “Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution.”
• Back Pay for Employees: Ensure “back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home.”
• Address Key Policy Matters: Tackle rising costs and reform the appropriations process.

A Shift in Political Strategy

While the AFGE typically supports Democratic candidates, Kelley’s message marks a significant pivot away from partisan politics. For weeks, the union has advocated for a negotiated solution to the shutdown, aligning with Democratic demands. However, Kelley now believes that Democrats should join Republicans in passing the spending bill to support federal employees.

The Economic Impact of a Shutdown

Kelley highlighted the detrimental costs associated with government shutdowns. These include:

• Financial Losses: Shutdowns can cost taxpayers billions.
• Business Disruption: Local small businesses suffer as consumer confidence wanes.
• Trust Issues in Government: Persistent shutdowns erode public confidence in governmental institutions.

The Human Cost of the Shutdown

The turmoil faced by AFGE members during this shutdown has been profound, with potential permanent job dismissals being discussed by the Office of Management and Budget. This has led to legal actions to protect employee rights, highlighting the serious implications of the political stalemate.

Political Missteps

Recent comments from Democratic leaders have raised eyebrows. For example, Senator Chuck Schumer suggested that the shutdown is advantageous to Democrats, while Congresswoman Katherine Clark referred to it as a critical leverage point. Such remarks have intensified criticism of the party’s approach during this crisis.

Moving Forward: A Unified Effort

Kelley concluded his message with a call for unity and action:

“It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike.”

The overarching sentiment is clear: the government is a shared responsibility. The AFGE president urged Congress to prioritize the needs of American workers by reestablishing operations swiftly to prevent prolonged hardships.

Conclusion

As the nation navigates this complex situation, it remains imperative for lawmakers to come together for the greater good. A prompt end to the shutdown through a bipartisan clean funding bill can restore vital government services and bring relief to thousands of federal workers. The focus should be on collaboration and problem-solving, rather than political posturing.

For more information on government policies and their impact, consider visiting govtrack.us or congress.gov.