John, 

Last night in Washington DC, Congressional Republicans failed to reach an agreement on government spending and triggered the first federal government shutdown in almost seven years. 

This shutdown is not just a political spat, it is an attack on communities and ecosystems. 

President Trump and Congressional Republicans have spent the year making things more expensive for working families, everything from food to energy costs to healthcare. They have illegally frozen more than $410 billion in spending on projects that are already approved, everything from cutting greenhouse gas emissions to clean school bus programs to ecosystem restoration. 

What does this shutdown mean for Washington communities? Federal workers will not be receiving their paychecks, harming their ability to support their families. Rollbacks for ecosystem protections that protect communities from getting sick cause dirtier air and unsafe drinking water. Rising costs for energy and healthcare put everyone, especially working families, in tough situations.

We cannot allow these harms to continue. Congress must put enforceable guardrails in place and pursue bipartisan negotiations to protect families, communities, and our environment.

At the same time, our state leadership must remain focused on families, working people, and environmental protections impacted by the shutdown.

Check on your communities, neighbors, elders, and allies. Right now more than ever, we must lean on each other to get through this. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities for action.

In solidarity,

Christina Wong (she/her)
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Washington Conservation Action