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Van Hollen, Cardin among senators asking Trump to meet with federal workers

January 15th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to President Trump urging him to meet with federal workers suffering from the impacts of the shutdown.

 

The Senators write, “We are writing to ask that you meet with some of the federal civil servants who are either working without pay or locked out of their job as a result of the government shutdown. We believe that you would benefit from listening to their stories.”

 

They continue, “When asked about the situation facing federal workers, you said, ‘I can relate. I'm sure the people that are on the receiving end will make adjustments. They always do.’ Some federal workers – like millions of Americans – live paycheck-to-paycheck. According to the Federal Reserve, 40% of Americans cannot pull together $400 for an emergency, without going into debt or selling something. Speaking with some of the workers who cannot afford to miss a paycheck may help you better relate to the adjustments you expect them to make for your shutdown.”

 

The Senators closed the letter stating, “You already met a few carefully handpicked federal workers who support your position of shutting down the government to demand taxpayer dollars for a border wall. But the vast majority of federal workers oppose your shutdown, and we hope you will listen to them as well. Most of all, we hope that you will swiftly end this unnecessary and damaging shutdown.”

 

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

 

Dear President Trump:

 

We are writing to ask that you meet with some of the federal civil servants who are either working without pay or locked out of their job as a result of the government shutdown. We believe that you would benefit from listening to their stories.

 

You have said that you are, “proud to shut down the government.” Earlier, you tweeted about the need for a “good shutdown.” We have spoken to federal workers who will not be able to afford to keep their home, purchase their medication, or put money in their child’s school lunch account if this shutdown continues. These civil servants are proud of their jobs, and this government shutdown is preventing them from doing important work for the American people. If you heard directly from them, it would be clear that there is no such thing as a good government shutdown.

 

When asked about the situation facing federal workers, you said, “I can relate. I'm sure the people that are on the receiving end will make adjustments. They always do.” Some federal workers – like millions of Americans – live paycheck-to-paycheck. According to the Federal Reserve, 40% of Americans cannot pull together $400 for an emergency, without going into debt or selling something. Speaking with some of the workers who cannot afford to miss a paycheck may help you better relate to the adjustments you expect them to make for your shutdown.

 

You already met a few carefully handpicked federal workers who support your position of shutting down the government to demand taxpayer dollars for a border wall. But the vast majority of federal workers oppose your shutdown, and we hope you will listen to them as well. Most of all, we hope that you will swiftly end this unnecessary and damaging shutdown.

3 Responses to “Van Hollen, Cardin among senators asking Trump to meet with federal workers”

  1. January 15, 2019 at 4:48 pm, Patrick said:

    Great idea! Make it a joint meeting with the families of the victims of Americans killed or murdered by illegal aliens. That’s the ticket!

    Reply

  2. January 15, 2019 at 7:45 pm, Vernon Lowery said:

    GO TO YOUR SPOKESWOMEN AND GET HER TO SIGN.
    VERY SIMPLE TO END IT.AS FAR AS WORKERS YOU PEOPLE DIDN’T CARE WHEN THOUSAND WERE OUT OF WORK AND HAD NO JOBS TO GO BACK TO.THESE PEOPLE HAVE A JOB JUST SIGN AND ALL WILL BE WELL.

    Reply

  3. January 16, 2019 at 6:00 am, Deb said:

    Patrick, a few days ago, a large group of “Angel Moms (parents whose sons or daughters have been killed by illegal immigrants)arrived at the offices of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
    Guess what happened?
    Nothing!
    They literally refused to meet this these parents, saying they had no time to talk with them!
    They care about the illegals more than citizens….because they want those illegals to vote Democrat!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Deb