(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Union representing the largest share of U.S. Government Workers is calling for Congress to pass a short-term funding bill to reopen the Federal Government as hundreds of thousands of Federal Employees are forced to stay home without pay due to the ongoing shutdown.

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution, which would extend the previous funding agreement with no changes:

This week, Congress pushed our Nation into the fourth week of a full Government shutdown - an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities and the very institutions that hold our country together.

Both political parties have made their point and still there is no clear end in sight. 

Today I’m making mine: It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today.

No half measures and no gamesmanship.

Put every single Federal Worker back on the job with full back pay - today.  

As President of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 Federal and D.C. Government Workers who serve with pride and professionalism. 

They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected and our food is inspected.

They come from every political background and every corner of this Nation.

What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work. 

Today, that belief is being tested.

The Army Nurse in San Antonio, the TSA Officer in Atlanta, the USDA Food Safety Inspector in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat. 

These are patriotic Americans - parents, caregivers, and veterans - forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington.

That is unacceptable. 

Unfortunately, shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in Washington.

But there is no “winning” a government shutdown.

They cost taxpayers billions, hurt small businesses and erode confidence in government itself. And the American people know this.

That’s why nine out of 10 Americans think this government shutdown is a problem. 

It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American People, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike. 

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story & For More, Go To: AFGE | It’s Past Time to End This Shutdown And Largest federal employee union demands Congress end shutdown

Photo Courtesy Of The AFGE Website.