Dear john,

My Conservative colleagues aren’t taking the costs of a government shutdown as seriously as they should. Earlier this week, I shared with you some of the consequences of their shutdown:

• 800 fewer Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and officers.
• 50,000 pounds of cocaine, more than 300 pounds of fentanyl, more than 700 pounds of heroin, and more than 6,000 pounds of methamphetamine let into our country due to cuts to CBP.
• 110,000 children would lose access to Head Start slots and 65,000 would lose access to childcare.
• 60,000 seniors would lose access to nutrition services like Meals on Wheels and 2.1 million women, infants, and children would be waitlisted for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
• Up to 40,000 fewer teachers, aides, or other key staff across the country, affecting 26 million students in schools that teach low-income students and 7.5 million students with disabilities.
• Nearly 70 fewer Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, who are often some of the first federal law enforcement on the scene of a mass shooting to help local law enforcement identify at-large shooters and 13 furlough days for ATF's entire workforce.
• 4,000 fewer rail safety inspection days next year alone, with nearly 11,000 fewer miles of track inspected annually.
• 145 fewer members of local law enforcement due to cuts at the Department of Justice.
• Nearly 300,000 households — including 20,000 veterans and 90,000 seniors — would lose housing choice vouchers, putting them at greater risk of homelessness.
• A roughly $500 reduction to the maximum Pell Grant for 6.6 million students.
• 4,000 fewer FBI personnel, including agents who investigate crimes.
• 250,000 American workers would be denied job training and employment services, resulting in 35,000 fewer workers gaining the opportunity of a Registered Apprenticeship.
• 50,000 workers would lose an average of $1,000 in back wages they are owed and people applying for disability benefits would have to wait 2 months longer.

As a result, I wanted to reach out and ask you: how will you or your family be impacted by a government shutdown?

In an effort to amplify the consequences of a shutdown, I’m asking you to text me how your family will be impacted by a government shutdown at 915-295-2551.