Hoyer, Ivey Host Shutdown Roundtable with Federal Workers
BOWIE, MD – Today, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) hosted a roundtable with federal workers, local labor leaders, and officials from the Moore-Miller Administration to discuss the harmful effects of Republicans' ongoing shutdown of the federal government. Representatives from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) participated in the discussion. Federal employees shared stories about the trauma and pain Donald Trump, Russell Vought, and Congressional Republicans have inflicted on the federal workforce not only during the 23 days of the shutdown but throughout the ten months since Trump took office. The Congressmen highlighted their efforts to support federal workers during this challenging time, as well as House Republicans' continued absence from Washington and refusal to negotiate a deal to reopen the government.
The Congressmen also detailed the consequences Republicans' inaction will have for Marylanders' health care costs. According to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, if Republicans allow the tax credits for the Affordable Care Act to expire, 190,000 Marylanders will see their monthly health premiums go up by an average of 68 percent. Another 110,000 Marylanders would see an average increase of 17 percent.
"I have always said that shutdowns are a stupid, arrogant, and costly policy," Congressman Hoyer said. "No one understands that dire cost better than our federal workers. For ten months, the Trump Administration has been treating them like 'villains' who ought to be 'put in trauma' – to borrow Russell Vought's own words. Trump and Vought aren't trying to reopen the government; they're actively working to dismantle it entirely. House Republicans have been missing in action for weeks, preferring to flee Washington than work with Democrats on a bipartisan solution to reopen the government and keep Americans' health care costs from skyrocketing when the tax credits for the Affordable Care Act expire at the end of this year. Until they choose to govern, I will continue working with the rest of Team Maryland to help our federal workers weather this storm."
“Congressman Hoyer’s leadership in standing up for federal workers is exactly what Maryland needs right now. Across the D.C. region and specifically in Prince George’s County; thousands of dedicated public servants have been fired, RIF’d, or furloughed through no fault of their own. They deserve real support, retraining, and respect. Joining him here today to champion our civil servants is an important step to help inform the impacted workers and contractors. We will collaborate with our colleagues on Federal Team Maryland to fight against these job-cuts and strive to keep healthcare costs from breaking the backs of our constituents,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey.