REPRESENTATIVE JOE MORELLE LEADS EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD CONSTITUENT SERVICES DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Demands Trump administration find “immediate solution” to backlog of rightfully-owed resources and services
(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Representative Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) led a group of House Democrats in urging the Trump Administration to immediately implement contingency measures to preserve essential constituent services amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“When people call our offices about delayed checks or other resources they’re rightfully owed, they’re not calling as Democrats or Republicans—they’re calling as Americans who need help,” said Representative Joe Morelle. “American families, veterans, and seniors have earned these benefits, and they should not be forced to pay the price of Donald Trump’s political games.”
During a federal government shutdown, many agencies are forced to furlough large portions of their workforce or operate with unpaid personnel, creating severe backlogs and delays. However, President Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought, in accordance with a memo Vought issued in the days leading up to October 1, have made plans that go above and beyond standard furloughs and include the permanent elimination of some jobs.
The shutdown is significantly limiting congressional offices’ ability to assist constituents with issues such as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and immigration services.
In a letter—authored by Morelle—to President Donald Trump and OMB Director Russ Vought, a group of House Democrats called for an “immediate solution” to address the lack of operational capacity within federal agencies that has left congressional offices unable to assist constituents seeking help with urgent federal matters.
A copy of the full letter can be found here.
Members of Congress who joined Morelle in signing this letter are: Representatives Ansari (AZ-03); Bynum (OR-05); Clarke (NY-09); Conaway (NJ-03); Fletcher (TX-07); Goldman (NY-10); Gottheimer (NJ-05); Horsford (NV-04); Houlahan (PA-06); Landsman (OH-01); Lee (PA-12); Min (CA-47); Nadler (NY-12); Pallone (NJ-06); Ramirez (IL-03); Raskin (MD-08); Ruiz (CA-25); Sewell (AL-07); Sorensen (IL-17); Soto (FL-09); Tran (CA-45); and Velázquez (NY-07).
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