The Montgomery County Council, on the 32nd day of the partial federal government shutdown, has sent a letter to President Trump and members of Congress urging them to reopen government.
“Every two weeks, federal working families across Maryland are losing $778 million in wages. Many of our residents are now in critical need of necessities like food, medication and money to pay their utility bills. Their savings accounts have been depleted and their patience is wearing thin,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by Council President Nancy Navarro and addressed to Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
The shutdown, the longest in American history, came after an impasse between Congress and Trump over the president’s demand for $5 billion for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. There was no indication the parties were any closer to agreement on a temporary or long-term spending bill Tuesday night.
Navarro, in an interview Tuesday afternoon, said the all Democratic council sent the letter because federal employees and contractors will miss their second paycheck since the shutdown began Dec. 22.
“There’s no doubt that we keep hearing the concerns about having to go without another paycheck, and not being able put food on the table,” she said.
Trump has signed legislation guaranteeing back pay to federal employees, but it is unclear whether contract workers will be paid retroactively.
Navarro said her husband, who owns a small logistics business, is among those affected since his company uses federal contractors. About 3,500 small businesses in the county depend on the federal government, according to Bloomberg Government.
Navarro added that she plans to meet with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) next week to discuss the continuing impacts of the shutdown.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media
