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Concord, N.H. - For each of the past 26 days, New Hampshire's federal delegation has worked tirelessly to reopen the government and help the 800,000 federal workers and millions of Americans affected by President Trump's government shutdown. NHDP Chair Ray Buckley issued the following statement: "The past 26 days have been hard on people across New Hampshire and the entire country as President Trump and the Republican party continue their senseless shutdown. Thankfully, New Hampshire has been well-served by Senators Shaheen and Hassan and Representatives Pappas and Kuster who are always looking out for Granite Staters' best interests and are fighting diligently to reopen the government." Read below for more information on New Hampshire's Federal Delegation's efforts to end the shutdown and mitigate its effects: Senators Shaheen and Hassan reintroduced the bipartisan Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which guarantees that furloughed federal employees will receive retroactive pay as soon as possible once the government is reopened. Representatives Pappas and Kuster both voted for this bill as well and the legislation now awaits the President's signature. Senators Shaheen and Hassan cosigned a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, urging the Office to direct federal agencies to secure back pay for low- or middle-income contractor employees. These contractor employees are typically responsible for food service, security, and custodial work, and in past shutdowns have not received back pay. Senator Hassan and Congresswoman Kuster introduced the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act, which aims to protect federal workers and their families from foreclosures, evictions, loss of insurance, and loan defaults while they go without pay during the government shutdown. Congresswoman Kuster and Congressman Pappas have repeatedly voted to reopen the government, although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to bring these bills up for a vote in the Senate. Prior to the shutdown, Senator Shaheen and Hassan also both voted for the Continuing Resolution to prevent a government shutdown in the first place. And Senator Shaheen led a "Reopen the Government" effort, which Senator Hassan joined, urging Leader McConnell to bring bipartisan legislation to reopen the government up for a vote. "Our federal delegation has met with constituents to hear how the shutdown is affecting them, worked across the aisle to find solutions, spoken on the Senate and House floors, held town halls, and done so much more to help their constituents," continued NHDP Chair Ray Buckley. "It's time for Republicans to show the same level of commitment to those they represent and work with Democrats to reopen the government at once."
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