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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The clock is ticking toward Tuesday’s midnight deadline to fund the federal government.
Without a deal, a shutdown could begin, threatening services and impacting thousands, including federal workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is currently in Oregon during the congressional recess and is actively pushing for key revisions before approving any funding legislation.
He told KOIN 6 News’ Anthony Kustura that his focus remains on reducing the cost of living for Oregonians.
“My focus is on words that relate to people’s bills, medical bills, health insurance bills, electric bills, all of those kinds of things that relate to costs,” Wyden said.
Data estimates that nearly 30,000 federal employees in Oregon and 3,700 in Clark County, Washington, could be affected if the government shuts down.
While some programs like Social Security, Medicare, and air traffic control would continue running, a long shutdown could disrupt benefits like SNAP (food assistance).
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has blamed Democrats for the impasse, accusing them of wanting to “give money away to illegals” and criticizing Portland as a city in chaos.
“I don’t know how anybody lives there. It’s amazing but it’s anarchy out there and that’s what they want,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office Thursday.
The Trump administration has also threatened increased federal intervention in Portland, including possible deployment of the National Guard, though no formal deployment has been confirmed.
Senator Wyden strongly refutes the president’s characterization of Portland.
“I want Oregonians to know loud and clear; I think that is a fable that misrepresents what our city is all about, and we could go to all kinds of neighborhoods tonight and it would prove that the President is wrong about that,” Wyden said.
Congress remains adjourned with no votes scheduled before the shutdown deadline.
For more on Senator Wyden’s remarks, watch the full interview this Sunday on Eye on Northwest Politics on KOIN 6.
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Anthony Kustura
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