Press Releases

WASHINGTON — As the Democrat Shutdown ends its fifth week, frustration is growing across the country — not just from travelers and federal workers, but from the very unions Democrats claim to represent.

More than a month ago, House Republicans passed a clean, responsible continuing resolution to keep the government open and protect paychecks for federal workers. But Democrats continue to keep it closed — inflicting pain on the working families they say they stand for.

Now, even longtime Democratic allies are speaking out to urge Democrats to pass the clean CR and end the Democrat Shutdown.

UNION LEADERS SOUND THE ALARM

Union leaders across the country are speaking out — calling on Democrats to end the shutdown and put workers first.

Everett Kelley, AFGE National President: “I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism… It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government… Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.” 

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien: “Congress is playing the same blame and delay game that corporations play with American workers seeking a first contract. A shutdown will hurt working people.  Period.  American workers are not bargaining chips. Senators should stop screwing around and pass the House-passed clean, short term funding bill.”

NATCA President Nick Daniels: “Congress must pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to immediately end the government shutdown, ensure that all individuals who have not been paid during this prolonged closure receive their compensation, and then engage in bipartisan negotiations on other pressing issues facing our nation.”

In addition, Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and Allied Pilots Association (APA)  have issued statements calling on Congress to pass the clean CR and reopen the government.

Together, these unions represent millions of workers demanding immediate action to restore paychecks and end the shutdown.

AMID MOUNTING AIRPORT DISRUPTIONS AND THE UPCOMING THANKSGIVING TRAVEL RUSH, MAJOR AIRLINES URGE DEMOCRATS TO END THE SHUTDOWN

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby: “It’s putting stress on people. It’s not fair to those people. It’s also putting stress on the economy.”

American Airlines: "The quickest way to end this shutdown and get these workers paid is by passing a clean continuing resolution (CR). A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations — and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better."

Delta Airlines: "Delta Air Lines implores Congress to immediately pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government so that our air traffic controllers, TSA and CBP officers charged with the safety and efficiency of our national airspace can collect the paychecks they deserve."

Southwest Airlines: "The public expects and deserves to travel in a system in which air traffic controllers and federal safety and security employees are paid in a timely fashion. We ask Congress to adopt a clean continuing resolution."

DEMOCRATS KNOW IT’S WRONG — AND THE CRACKS ARE SHOWING

And now, cracks are appearing inside the Democratic Party itself — with even their own members publicly rejecting the shutdown strategy.

Sen. John Fetterman (D–PA): “And, again, I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown. I mean, we're shutting it down… I voted for all their C.R.s, our C.R.s, every single time. And I refuse to put 42 million Americans in the kinds of food insecurity. Now, this is all solved by just reopen our government and the people are now paid. Now, if we are – we are the party that are fighting for working people.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D–NJ): “I think what’s a very fair deal is open the government and let’s just vote on extending these premiums for a year or more. I don’t understand what’s so hard about that.”

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME): “This government shutdown is the result of hardball politics driven by the demands far-left groups are making for Democratic Party leaders to put on a show of their opposition to President Trump. The shutdown is hurting Americans and our economy, and the irony is it has only handed more power to the president.”

Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama: "I’m going to break from the party line here on this. I’m a Democrat. I’m with John Fetterman and Angus King... The most basic function of Congress is to fund the government, turn the lights on, keep the government working so that the 3 million people who are public servants are able to do what they do to serve all the rest of us... I believe that Congress should vote to re-open the government.”

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLE

• The House did its job on September 19, passing the clean funding bill to keep the government open.
• Republicans in the Senate stand ready to do the same. It takes 60 votes — meaning Democrats must join.
• Democrats have voted 15 times to keep the government closed.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and other federal workers are going without pay — and the economic damage is spreading nationwide.

THE BOTTOM LINE

While Republicans are working to end the shutdown and protect American families, Democrats have admitted their true motive: to use the pain of working people as “leverage” for political gain.

“Every day gets better for us.”

Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

“Of course, there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.)

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