The Scariest Shutdown

We are now 31 days into this government shutdown, and Americans are really starting to see the scary impacts of what will soon be the longest government shutdown in American history. I voted back in September to prevent all of this. It was a vote to keep the government open and to keep serving people. 

Here are some of the scariest impacts of this senseless shutdown:

• Starting tomorrow, SNAP benefits will not be paid to 42 million Americans. This unnecessary pain on the American people doesn’t have to happen. There is a funding proposal in the Senate which would ensure SNAP and other government programs continue to serve the people who need them most. I’m supporting the Keep SNAP Funded Act to ensure benefits continue to go to families who need them. The simplest solution is to open the government.
• Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have missed paychecks because of this shutdown. Many of these employees are still working on behalf of the American people but are now questioning their ability to put food on the table due to missed paychecks. I introduced the Shutdown Fairness Act to pay government employees and troops who are forced to work during the shutdown.
• Air traffic controllers are some of these federal employees who are missing paychecks. More than 50% of recent flight delays have been caused by staffing shortages. Delays and service interruptions will grow as this shutdown continues, and air traffic controllers will continue to work without pay.
• Every day, 320 small businesses cannot access Small Business Administration loans – that’s one every five minutes. Federal approvals and inspections are also paused or delayed, and federal contracts are not being paid. Economic growth slows during shutdowns.

The impacts of this shutdown continue to mount as the American people feel real pain. It’s time to open the government and get back to work. I won’t be taking a paycheck while the government remails closed. 

I’ve been working in South Dakota helping folks manage the impacts of this shutdown. If you need assistance, please reach out to my office.