Today marks day 21 of the government shutdown, as Republicans continue to dig in their heels. And while this may be just any other day for out-of-touch politicians like Representative Marchant who refuse to do their job and vote to re-open the government, it’s something much bigger for the 800,000 American workers who are preparing to miss their first paycheck this afternoon.
For one single parent in Indiana, that ‘preparation’ has meant hosting a “sale on eBay with five pages of things found around the house, including Bibles, Nintendo bedsheets and Dr. Seuss neckties.” For a librarian in North Carolina, it has meant hosting a “government shutdown online yard sale” to make some extra money as she prepares for a shutdown with no end in sight. Yes, these stories show the lengths Americans will go to make ends meet, but just as importantly, they demonstrate how disruptive a shutdown is for every day people’s lives.
“When you do your job in this country, you should be paid, end of story. But as a result of recklessness from Representative Marchant and Republicans in Washington, 800,000 hardworking Americans won’t see a paycheck today,” said DCCC spokesperson Evan Lukaske. “That’s not only an added burden for Americans trying to go about their lives and raise their families, it shows Marchant cares more about allegiance to their party line in Washington than the economic security of workers in his district.”
In addition to 800,000 American workers who won’t get a paycheck today, this shutdown has meant:
- Approximately $700 million per week in lost worker productivity
- Serious harm to America’s cybersecurity systems
- Further pain for American farmers reeling from President Trump’s trade war
- Passenger planes are not undergoing safety inspections
- Dangerous reductions in routine food inspections
- People trying to buy homes cannot finalize their loans
- You may face serious delays in receiving your tax refund
Similar releases went to Representatives Devin Nunes (CA-22), Duncan Hunter (CA-50), Andy Barr (KY-06), Rob Woodall (GA-07), Steve King (IA-04), Mike Bost (IL-12), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Greg Gianforte (MT-AL), Ted Budd (NC-13), Don Bacon (NE-02), Chris Collins (NY-27), Steve Chabot (OH-01), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Scott Perry (PA-10), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Chip Roy (TX-21), Pete Olson (TX-22), Kenny Marchant (TX-24), and John Carter (TX-31).
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