Shutdown Update: Federal Government Affairs, AFSCME International Union

As we move past the 17th day of the shutdown, the anti-union majorities in the House, Senate and White House are doubling down on their commitment to cut health care funding for more than 22 million Americans. Senate Leader John Thune has called for a vote on the partisan, anti-worker budget 10 times and counting. Each time the Senate rejected the bill but the anti-union majority refuses to negotiate over ending the threats to federal workers, rural hospitals, and the health care of 22 million Americans. Meanwhile,  House Speaker Johnson has kept his members out of the Capitol and back home. This week AFSCME retirees from Alaska to Puerto Rico traveled to Washington DC to raise their voices to tell Congress: lower health care costs, protect federal workers, and fund public services. Their message was strong and in solidarity with AFSCME Council 20 members. 

We’ve endorsed the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act introduced by Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The bill seeks to protect federal workers and federal contractors from losing their homes, falling behind on student loans and other bills, or having their car repossessed because they have been furloughed during a shutdown or required to work without pay.