Several area lawmakers have issued statements on the government shutdown and its affect on the Washington region.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said in his statement that the shutdown is “disappointing, unfortunately unsurprising, and ultimately avoidable,” and added that the District’s government is funded and will continue to function.
“While the shutdown will undoubtedly impact some District residents employed by the federal government, local services will not be affected. We may also see some cutback in federal services and that will also affect District residents,” Mendelson said.
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia’s 10th District announced that he will turn down his pay during the federal shutdown, in support of federal workers and contractors.
“While Republicans force this shutdown and federal workers and contractors go without pay, I will not accept a paycheck and will continue to stand up for the men and women who protect our communities,” Subramanyam said in a statement.
U.S. Rep James Walkinshaw of Virginia’s 11th District criticized the administration’s push to fire federal workers during the shutdown in an op-ed.
“There is no statute, appropriation or constitutional clause that gives an administration license to fire federal civilian employees simply because funding has lapsed.” Walkinshaw said. “When Congress fails to enact a continuing resolution or full-year funding, federal agencies are constrained by appropriations law, not presidential whim.”
D.C. shadow representative Oye Owolewa said the shutdown is a “reckless failure of leadership” and that American people are paying the price.
“Let’s be clear: a government shutdown is a choice. It is a deliberate act of putting politics before people, brinkmanship before responsibility, and personal power before public service,” Owolewa said.
U.S. Rep Sarah Elfreth of Maryland’s 3rd District said she was “deeply disappointed” with the Republicans who control the White House and both chambers of Congress.
“More than 190,000 Marylanders are paying less for their health coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits — 23,000 of whom live in Maryland’s Third District. These tax credits are set to expire, and the Republican government funding bill does nothing to continue this critical program,” Elfreth said.