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Longest Federal Shutdown in US History Harming Colorado Families & Economy
(Jan. 18) – Democratic members of the Colorado General Assembly urged Colorado’s U.S. Senators to push Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the President to re-open the federal government.
In a letter addressed to Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, the lawmakers wrote: “The more than 53,000 federal employees who call Colorado home are dedicated public servants who deserve to go back to work and be paid for their hard work. Roughly 15,000 of these federal workers did not receive a paycheck last week. As a result, they are struggling to make rent, mortgage or car loan payments, to pay for utility or medical bills and to keep food on the table.”
More than 1,000 federal workers have filed for unemployment assistance because of the financial strains of this shutdown and SNAP recipients are at risk. The lingering effects of the shutdown are taking a toll on Colorado’s businesses, brewers and National Parks.
“This shutdown just entered its 28th day and we are concerned about the devastating impacts it will have the longer it goes on.”
“We are thankful to the individuals, organizations and responsible businesses who are assisting our fellow Coloradans in this time of trouble and stress.”
“We encourage you to use your position in the Senate to advocate for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring up and pass the House-approved legislation that would re-open the federal government. Please do everything in your power to convince the President, the administration and Senate leadership to end this deadlock and work to re-open the federal government,” the letter concluded.
The letter can be found here.
The letter was signed by House Speaker KC Becker, House Majority Leader Alec Garnett,, House Speaker Pro Tem Janet Bucker, House Assistant . Majority Leader Chris Kennedy, Representative Mike Weissman, Representative Kyle Mullica, Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Representative Meg Froelich, Representative Dominique Jackson, Representative Shannon Bird, Representative Lisa Cutter, Representative Monica Duran, Representative Kerry Tipper, Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Representative Brianna Titone, Representative Dylan Roberts, Representative Adrienne Benavidez, Representative Emily Sirota, Representative Barbara McLachlan, Representative Leslie Herod, Representative Susan Lontine, Representative Cathy Kipp, Representative Daneya Esgar, Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Representative Donald Valdez, Representative Alex Valdez, Representative Yadira Caraveo, Representative James Coleman, Representative Chris Hansen, Representative Rochelle Gallindo, Representative Matt Gray, Representative Marc Snyder, Representative Tony Exum, Sr., Representative Julie McCluskie, Representative Tom Sullivan, Representative Bri Buentello, Representative Edie Hooton, Representative Jeni Arndt,
Representative Sonya Jaquez Lewis, Representative Jovan Melton, Representative Jonathan Singer
Senate President Leroy M. Garcia, Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Speaker Pro Tem Lois Court, Assistant Majority Leader Rhonda Fields, Senator Kerry Donovan, Senator Pete Lee, Senator Joann Ginal, Senator Tammy Story, Senator Mike Foote, Senator Rachel Zenzinger, Senator Jessie Danielson, Senator Dominick Moreno, Senator Brittany Pettersen, Senator Faith Winter, Senator Jeff Bridges, Senator Nancy Todd, Senator Robert Rodriguez, Senator Angela Williams, and Senator Julie Gonzales.