Letter from National Governors Association Chair Montana Governor Steve Bullock and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urging the President and Congressional leadership to take action to avoid a shutdown of the federal government.
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-224
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol Building, Room 232
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol Building, Room 204
Washington, D.C. 20510
December 21, 2018
President Trump, Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi:
Our national system and state governments rely on a federal government that works. A federal shutdown is indicative of a government that is not working.
Governors compromise every day. We must work with partners in our legislatures and with stakeholders throughout our states. It is not a choice; it is a necessity to ensure the citizens we serve in our states – the same ones you represent at the national level – have access to the basic functions that allow them to lead good lives.
Governors are not able to entrench ourselves and enter stalemates that shut down our governments. States are better than that – and so too is the federal government.
If Congress and the Administration are unable to reach a funding deal, more than $314 billion in federal funds for vital government services will stop flowing to federal agencies and states, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees who provide services our citizens rely upon will be furloughed.
Furthermore, critical programs for states – including the National Flood Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund – will lapse without congressional action to extend their expiring authorizations.
A federal government shutdown would not only delay workers’ paychecks and disrupt crucial programs and services, but also create uncertainty that would stunt economic growth.
Governors believe in your ability to find a path out of this situation and ensure we have a federal government that works. We stand ready to help in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Governor Steve Bullock
Chair
National Governors Association
Governor Larry Hogan
Vice Chair
National Governors Association
