As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, has issued a fervent plea for its resolution.
The union is urging Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to end the impasse, a move that Senate Democrats have resisted since the shutdown's inception.
According to The Post Millennial, AFGE President Everett Kelley released a statement on Monday, expressing the union's frustration with the ongoing situation. "This week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together. Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight. Today Im making mine: its time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay today, Kelley declared. A clean CR would maintain government funding at pre-shutdown levels.
Kelley, representing over 800,000 federal and DC government workers, emphasized the critical roles these employees play in maintaining national safety and services.
"As president of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 federal and DC government workers who serve with pride and professionalism. They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected. They come from every political background and every corner of this nation. What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work," he stated.
While Kelley refrained from directly criticizing Democrats, it is noteworthy that Senate Democrats have consistently opposed a clean CR. Instead, they have proposed alternative resolutions that include additional policy measures, such as increased federal funding for healthcare expenses of illegal immigrants. This stance has contributed to the ongoing stalemate.
Kelley urged Congress to "reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues" and to "ensure back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home through no fault of their own." He further called for bipartisan cooperation to address broader policy issues, emphasizing that these steps are in the best interest of the American people, who expect stability and responsibility from their government.
The shutdown's impact has been further compounded by recent actions in the Senate. Last week, Senate Democrats voted against a measure to compensate federal employees, including military personnel and air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay during the shutdown. This decision has drawn criticism from those who argue that it places undue hardship on essential workers.
As the shutdown continues, the call for a resolution grows louder, with federal workers and their representatives advocating for a swift and fair end to the crisis. The focus remains on Congress to find a path forward that prioritizes the needs of the American people and restores stability to the nation's government operations.
Login