This is unacceptable. Our government is again on the verge of shutting down due to House Republican obstructionists stonewalling negotiations.
Tell your representatives you oppose this extreme agenda and to keep our government functioning.

Dear Supporter,

We're heading towards a government shutdown tomorrow at midnight.

Instead of doing their jobs, House Republicans are threatening to endanger the health, safety, and livelihood of the American people. This catastrophic action would: ^[1,2,3]

• Block billions in disaster relief funding from communities recovering from climate-fueled fires, hurricanes, and heatwaves
• Stop EPA-led drinking water inspections and inspections of hazardous waste sites and chemical facilities
• Freeze critical research on diseases and other public health priorities
• Halt WIC benefits, which provide food assistance for seven million women and children -- nearly half of all babies born in the U.S.
• Close down national parks
• Leave millions of government employees furloughed and force our active duty military service members to work without pay

Out-of-touch politicians are using the threat of shutting down our government to further their agenda to permanently strip vital social programs like education, child nutrition assistance, and protections to provide safe and clean drinking water and keep children safe from lead poisoning. ^[4,5]

These attacks on essential services will harm working class communities the most, making life harder for currently struggling families. Already, FEMA is planning to withhold eight billion dollars in disaster relief from states. This will halt community efforts to rebuild from past climate catastrophes in places like Puerto Rico, which has still not recovered from hurricane Maria. ^[6] We can't let Republicans get away with holding our government hostage if they don't get their way.

Email your representatives to demand they oppose this extreme agenda, do their job, and fund the government!

Representatives in the House from both parties need to hear from us. Democrats need to know we have their backs as they fight to fulfill one of their most basic duties and protect funding for critical public programs. Republicans need to know their proposed extreme spending cuts are both destructive and unpopular, and that we’re paying attention to their dirty dealing. We must speak up loud and clear to ensure they do their jobs. 

Regardless of what happens, Sierra Club staff, volunteers, and supporters -- like you, Supporter -- will continue to fight for a government that works for everyday people. We'll keep you informed on how we can work together to hold our elected leaders accountable.

Thank you for continuing to advocate for a just and livable future.

Melinda Pierce
Legislative Director
Sierra Club

P.S. If you have a moment, phone calls are especially effective right now. Call 1-615-823-8795 to automatically be connected with your representative. Here’s a sample message you can leave: "My name is _____ and I’m a constituent calling to urge my representative to do their job and fund the government! We rely on crucial government programs to keep our country running. Thank you."