Ahead of Funding Deadline, Spanberger Presses House Leadership to Avoid Federal Government Shutdown, Protect Virginia’s Federal Employees
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger today pressed U.S. House leaders in both parties to avoid a government shutdown in the coming weeks and provide certainty to Virginia’s federal employees and their families. The current federal government funding deadline is September 30, 2022.
In a letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Spanberger urged the lawmakers to avoid the gamesmanship that has characterized federal government funding discussions in recent years. Additionally, she emphasized how government shutdowns significantly disrupt the lives of thousands of Virginians.
“On behalf of the Virginians I serve, I urge you to take up and pass legislation to fund the federal government as quickly as possible,” said Spanberger. “As Members of Congress, one of our chief responsibilities is to pass legislation that funds the activities of the federal government — including critical activities necessary for maintaining our national defense, as well as to ensure the timely delivery of government services to the American people.”
Spanberger continued, “While disagreements and robust debate on policy should be expected, the very function of our government should never be used as a political bargaining chip. Americans deserve and demand better, and it is up to us to put aside our differences and deliver in a timely fashion. As such, I urge you to bring forward legislation to fund the federal government for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives without delay.”
Spanberger has long worked to avoid unnecessary federal government shutdowns and their impacts on Virginia’s economy. For her first bill introduced as a Member of Congress, she led the introduction of legislation that would help prevent future government shutdowns and protect federal workers from being used as negotiating tools in funding talks.
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