Government Shutdown Shamefully Harms Federal Workers & Women

By MUUSJN on Saturday, December 29th, 2018
The Violence Against Women Act Authorization Expired When the Government Shut Down
CALL Capitol Switchboard 1-202-224-3121 or click HERE for list of Michigan legislators phone numbers
Urge Your Senators & Representative To Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

Quick Facts About the 12/21/18 Government Shutdown:

Employees from 9 federal departments were affected. More than 380,000 federal workers are on furlough (temporarily laid off without pay) and 420,000 forced to work without pay:

  1. Homeland Security – 240,000
  2. Justice – 116,470
  3. Agriculture – 100,000
  4. Treasury – 91,870
  5. State – 75,550
  6. Interior – 70,000
  7. Transportation – 54,710
  8. Commerce -46,600
  9. Housing & Urban Development – 8,000

Since the shutdown on December 21st, workers’ anger is turning to fear they may not be able to buy food, pay their rent or pay the bills for other essential goods and services.  This reflects a lack of respect for the people who serve their fellow Americans.  

The issue:  Games are being played with the lives of Americans — and with the safety of women.  President Trump with Republican allies insists on playing hardball, keeping the government closed until he can get funding for a border wall. The White House Switchboard (1-202-456-1414) has an automated message that coldly blames a lack of staff to answer their phones on the government shutdown. 

THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE TOO. Another victim of the government shutdown is the Violence Against Women Act. This landmark Act, first passed in 1994, aims to support women who’ve survived intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the U.S. through a series of government funded programs, e.g., shelters, crisis centers, legal assistance and more.  Future funding that would have extended the act until February 8th was included in the federal budget that the House and Senate failed to pass. The act has been expanded to address violence  on campuses and toward the LGBTQ communities.  Earlier this year, both Republicans and Democrats have urged that the act be reauthorized.

This protection for women is too important to held hostage by a battle over funding for a border wall that most Americans don’t want.  

TALKING POINTS:

1.  We Don’t Need $5 billion for Trump’s WALL. We Need More Humane Treatment for Immigrant Families. Recent surveys indicate that 57% of Americans oppose more funding for a border wall and 38% favor it.  However, President Trump has brought down his demand for funding down from $5 to $2.5 billion.

2. No more games. Its time to make a deal. Work to end the government shutdown now.  Let’s treat our federal employees with respect.  

3. Reauthorize & Renew Funding for Violence Against Women. This could be done as a separate bill from the contentious budget bill. Urge your Senators and your Representative promptly move ahead with protecting women!

THANKS FOR CALLING YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

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