Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Calls for End to Government Shutdown

On the 20th day of the partial government shutdown, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) rallied and marched in solidarity with federal employees, who have been furloughed or forced to work without pay. Courtesy file photo.

In recognition of the 25th day of the longest government shutdown in American history, Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today called for an end to the government shutdown.

Video of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Speech is Available Here

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said it’s 25 days since over 800,000 federal employees have either been going to work without pay or have been furloughed.

“All of them wondering, ‘How am I going to pay my rent or my mortgage? How am I going to afford the bills I need to pay to take care of my family?’,” said Rep. Gabbard.

The congresswoman reportedly heard recently from Jay, a Maui TSA employee who has been working without pay. Rep. Gabbard said “Jay is not alone,” He’s been “wondering how he’s going to pay his mortgage, car, and credit card payments and life-saving medical care that he needs to provide for his daughter.”

“Our national parks are filling with trash, our Coast Guard members are working without pay, being told they should hold garage sales or start baby-sitting to help pay for the bills while the government is shut down,” said Rep. Gabbard noting that food stamps for tens of millions of Americans are also at risk.

“Low-income housing subsidies are impacting over 340,000 elderly and disabled veterans who depend on that rental assistance. The safety and security of our country is at risk. We cannot turn our backs on our brothers and sisters. These are real people, real families, real lives, and real futures,” said Rep. Gabbard, urging Senator McConnell and President Trump to pass the bipartisan legislation and reopen the government.