Thread by @NebraskaMegan

Today I introduced Legislative Resolution 16 to to request from this body that Congress and the President and Congress reopen the federal government immediately.

It’s been 35 days.

Some asked me why I wanted to speak about federal issue in the Legislature. The answer is, when over 5,000 Nebraskans are affected by what’s happening, it is our responsibility to use the power we have to speak out about it. It affects our neighbors. It’s our business.

We also know the shutdown is affecting many more people than the 5,000 Nebraskans who are furloughed or working without pay, because when the federal government can’t work, it affects private enterprise as well.

For example, Nebraska company Zipline Brewing can’t rely on oversight needed to move forward with new products and has a growing backlog, hurting their business.

It affects farmers who can’t depend on accurate market reports.

It affects seniors, who face more barriers in finding new employment. Veterans, who make up 25% of our civil servant workforce. Families who for the first time are waiting in lines at food banks & depending on donations of gift cards. Our airports, our national & state security.

From what I learned from speaking to furloughed employees & people working without pay from my district, partisanship flies out the door when you are hungry. When you just want to get back to work.

Over 5,000 people in Nebraska were denied a paycheck for the second time today.

I introduced this resolution because working families are not a bargaining chip. It’s time for lawmakers in every elected body in this country to be leaders. Tell the President and Congress to reopen the government.

You can read LR16 here: nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bil…