Americans Deserve a Continuing Resolution That Keeps Government Working for Them

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Hooper [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to the threat of a federal government shutdown:

“Congress and our country have now been thrown into chaos despite a bipartisan agreement to keep our federal government running. Thanks to a billionaire mega-donor, many federal workers could be furloughed and businesses that depend on federal workers and contracts will miss paychecks. All of this is harmful for the overall economy, as we learned during Trump’s first term in office when a 35-day shutdown slowed growth, and our gross domestic product took a hit. But that also means pain for ordinary people whose basic needs won’t be met. A shutdown means hundreds of thousands of public servants — parents and grandparents, mothers and fathers, and others whose families depend on them — will not see the pay they earned this holiday season. We call upon Congress to take bipartisan action to fund the government and avoid a painful shutdown. Both parties have a responsibility to prioritize the needs of this country’s people over partisan divides. And no one should be bullied into supporting a ‘my way or the highway’ approach that, in the end, will harm everyone. Americans deserve a functioning government that meets the needs of the people and does its job. That is why we need a continuing resolution that ensures that public servants and contractors get paid, that businesses that rely on the government thrive, and that people get the programs, services, and protections they rely upon to improve their lives. 

“No matter what, we are reminded that mandatory spending programs matter, since Social Security checks and Medicare and Medicaid benefits will continue. But if this shutdown drags on, nutrition programs that feed the hungry may be endangered. The billionaire advisors to the incoming president may not know what hunger feels like, but those who receive SNAP benefits, including adults, most of whom are workers, and about 14 million children, do. If the shutdown drags on, essentials like housing, food, health care, education, and childcare — through federally funded Head Start programs — could be imperiled. Food and water safety inspections and access to justice in federal court could be jeopardized. Investigations of police brutality could be interrupted. We are talking about blocking disaster relief and telehealth services for our elderly. We are talking about real pain for millions of people.

“Government shutdowns are a symptom of a democracy in danger, where the wealthy and powerful few play games at the expense of the majority. We the people are outraged. Our government should get to work — for all of us. And this should serve as a reminder that the government is made up of people, and its job is to serve us — not to sacrifice our needs based on the whims of CEOs who line their pockets through their access to powerful politicians. They might not need essential services, but millions of Americans do.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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