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Government shutdown could ‘inflict serious pain’ on millions, labor leader says
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) ^ | January 18, 2018 | The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Posted on 01/19/2018 11:41:43 AM PST by mdittmar

AFGE union president also warns against steep cuts to non-defense programs

WASHINGTON – Federal government programs and services benefiting millions of Americans are in jeopardy due to a potential government shutdown and steep cuts in non-defense spending, the head of the largest union representing federal government workers told Congress.

American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. urged lawmakers in a Jan. 18 letter to keep the government running beyond Jan. 19, when current funding expires.

“It is very clear that a federal government shutdown could inflict serious pain on everyday working people,” Cox said in the letter.

If Congress fails to pass a stop-gap spending bill, more than 850,000 federal government employees could be furloughed without pay and another million could be required to work without pay to keep public safety and health care programs running.

A shutdown would have wide-ranging impacts across the country, forcing the closure of national parks, museums, and zoos; delaying loans to millions of small businesses that rely on federal support; delaying payments, pensions, and educational benefits to veterans; ending applications for new Social Security benefits; and delaying paychecks for more than 2 million military service members.

President Cox also urged Congress to provide equal increases in spending for defense and non-defense programs. AFGE fully supports increasing DoD funding to enhance readiness, but not at the expense of other spending priorities.

Many agencies already are operating with barebones budgets thanks to years of deep cuts to non-defense discretionary programs. The Environmental Protection Agency’s budget has been cut by almost one-third, jeopardizing the agency’s mission to safeguard the quality of our air and water. 

The Social Security Administration, which has seen deep cuts in funding over the past seven years, is facing another cut of up to $492 million this year.

“SSA provides direct, personal assistance to millions of Americans every year who are applying for benefits,” Cox wrote. “A cut of this magnitude will cripple the agency’s ability to carry out its mission to help beneficiaries get the benefits they deserve.”


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: afge; biglabor; shutdown; unions
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Well,here's an old song I like;)

Roger Miller - King of the Road

1 posted on 01/19/2018 11:41:43 AM PST by mdittmar
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To: mdittmar

He’s a liar. Every time the Gov’t shuts down, when they return Congress authorizes back pay. They get all of the salary they would have gotten for sitting home. It’s a paid vacation.


2 posted on 01/19/2018 11:43:43 AM PST by TallahasseeConservative
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To: mdittmar

Women and minorities hit hardest!!


3 posted on 01/19/2018 11:43:46 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: mdittmar

It’s not just a union, it a government union.


4 posted on 01/19/2018 11:45:12 AM PST by BBB333 (The Power Of Trump Compels You!)
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To: mdittmar

Most federal employees I know (I have several in my own family) love government shutdowns because they essentially get paid time off without having to use leave. I suppose it could be a burden if you were financially irresponsible and lived paycheck to paycheck, but for anybody with a couple weeks worth of savings to them until they get that retroactive pay, it’s little more than a vacation.


5 posted on 01/19/2018 11:46:36 AM PST by apillar
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To: mdittmar

Then, I’d advise this Union to call Chuckie and tell him not to shut
down the government.


6 posted on 01/19/2018 11:47:15 AM PST by tennmountainman ("Prophet Mountainman" Predicter Of All Things RINO...for a small fee.)
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To: mdittmar
Big Labor and its Cosa Nostra partners have inflicted more "serious pain" on this country for the past 100 years than a two-week furlough for non-essential gov't employees leaches ever could.
7 posted on 01/19/2018 11:47:50 AM PST by LIConFem (I will no longer accept the things I cannot change. it's time to change the things I cannot accept.)
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To: mdittmar

Trump needs to simply get rid of the Federal Government workers union entirely! These people are overpaid, have little to no accountability, etc. Worst mistake ever allowing Federal government employees to unionize or be allowed to partake in unions, period.


8 posted on 01/19/2018 11:48:01 AM PST by cranked
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To: cranked
"Trump needs to simply get rid of the Federal Government workers union entirely! "

Don't tease me...
9 posted on 01/19/2018 11:49:36 AM PST by LIConFem (I will no longer accept the things I cannot change. it's time to change the things I cannot accept.)
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To: mdittmar

Yup.
And all that pain is because DEMOCRATS are trying to protect illegal immigrants.

Interesting how those most furious about this are _legal_ immigrants. My Canadian wife is more upset about it than I am.


10 posted on 01/19/2018 11:51:32 AM PST by ctdonath2 (It's not "white privilege", it's "Puritan work ethic". Behavior begets consequences.)
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To: mdittmar

Then have your commies in congress build the wall.

Life goes on minus the invasion.


11 posted on 01/19/2018 11:52:41 AM PST by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west))
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To: mdittmar
Government shutdown could ‘inflict serious pain’ on millions, labor leader says

Oh, well that settles it then, right ?


 

12 posted on 01/19/2018 11:53:57 AM PST by tomkat
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To: mdittmar

For how many American would serious pain be removed if the government shut down?


13 posted on 01/19/2018 11:58:30 AM PST by DoodleBob
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To: ctdonath2

Illegal aliens.
Fraudulently documented foreigners.
International trespassers.
Unwelcome visitors who overstayed their visas and their welcome.

Immigrants apply to be Americans, pay their fess, wait their turn, learn the language and comply with the laws.


14 posted on 01/19/2018 12:01:46 PM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here of Citizen Parents__Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: DoodleBob

I never noticed the last one at all.


15 posted on 01/19/2018 12:03:04 PM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here of Citizen Parents__Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: mdittmar

What else would you expect the head of a government employees union to say?


16 posted on 01/19/2018 12:06:34 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: mdittmar

Sen. Lindsey Graham (Rino-SC) is throwing our military and 9 million American children under the bus to try to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens. This should be a wakeup call to anyone in South Carolina who still believing that Graham supports our military.


17 posted on 01/19/2018 12:09:29 PM PST by tschatski
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To: TallahasseeConservative

Agencies also have reserved funds in budget. Obama Administration weaponized the 2013 shutdown to hurt Americans more than it would have.


18 posted on 01/19/2018 12:11:33 PM PST by Lopeover ( The 2016 Election is about allegiance to the United States!)
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To: tschatski

Fake news Won’t inflict pain on anyone


19 posted on 01/19/2018 12:15:43 PM PST by Renegade
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To: tschatski

Linda Graham and the rats are putting illegal invaders ahead of American citizens. Every American should take note of who their representative works for.


20 posted on 01/19/2018 12:33:47 PM PST by Peeps47
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