Tell Congress to end the shutdown!

Kentuckians’ response to the Affordable Care Act has been the nation’s most enthusiastic, showing the great need for this new law. Yet key members of Kentucky’s delegation to Washington are putting the well-being of tens of thousands of Kentuckians at risk to shut it down for ideological causes.

The federal shutdown is irresponsible and harmful, most immediately to Kentuckians who depend on safety nets to heat their homes and feed their kids and to those who work hard for our federal government and depend on their paycheck, including Kentucky’s America Vista workers and park rangers. It also impacts our farmers and all the workers whose businesses depend on all these folks.

These are just the immediate impacts. Economists are predicting significant impacts nationwide as the effects of the shutdown ripple out. We might never know the full extent of these effects or the impacts from the lapse of the EPA’s ability to monitor and protect our water and air.

Take Action

Can you take action today by calling and emailing Sen. McConnell, Sen. Paul, and your representative? 

Here’s a suggested message:

As your constituent, I want you to act now to end the government shutdown and prevent the economic catastrophe of a government default, with no strings attached.  Please vote to restore funding for all of the services that families count on and to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, and environmental safeguards.  

(Note: There is a nationwide call-in day using this number, from AFSCME 1-888-659-9562. That number seems to not work; it directs callers to the switchboard, which seems to be shut down. The contact information for Kentucky’s delegation is below. Please try to get through!)

Here is some context from the Coalition on Human Needs:

• The House leaders have been trying to divide and placate public concerns by passing a dozen bills that would fund popular programs.  Representatives need to hear from constituents that this piecemeal approach is unacceptable.  We need all of government working.  A simple vote on a short-term spending bill with no riders or conditions will do that.  Show your representative you want a real solution.

• We are about 10 days away from catastrophe:  The federal government is prevented from paying its bills and debts.  The Treasury Department and respected economists call that the road to economic catastrophe and deep, dark recession.  So far, the government shutdown has not stopped payment of Social Security checks or Medicaid/Medicare/food stamp benefits.  But if the federal government does not have enough money to pay its bills, no cuts are exempt.  Your representative has to hear how strongly you feel that default must be prevented – now, with no conditions.