WCBC

January 5th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Governor Larry Hogan today joined with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to issue an impassioned call to federal leaders to end the partial federal government shutdown, which is currently in its 14th day.

In a letter to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the regional leaders write:

“As our federal employees and contractors experience a sudden loss of income, this not only causes financial hardship for individuals and families, but also deals a significant blow to our region’s economy. Hard-working federal employees and those who depend on them should not have to suffer because of this partisan standoff.”

Noting that their three jurisdictions are home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors, they continue: “A prolonged shutdown not only hurts our local economies and budgets, but also poses a threat to our natural resources, public health, and safety…The longer this shutdown lasts, impacts will be more compounded on state and local budgets, important government services, and the economy at large. Containing the damage starts with reopening the government as soon as possible.”

Referring to the current impasse as a “failure of leadership,” Governor Hogan, Governor Northam, and Mayor Bowser conclude with a call for bipartisanship and to seek common sense solutions:

“Imposing this unnecessary hardship on federal employees is unacceptable and represents a failure of leadership. We urge you to fully consider the impact that a shutdown has on the national capital region and the country. We ask that you reach across the aisle to find a path forward and end this stalemate today so the federal employees in our region and across the country can get back to work.”

Previously, on December 21, Governor Hogan joined with Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT) to call for an end to the shutdown on behalf of the National Governors Association. Governor Hogan is currently vice-chair and chair-elect of the NGA.