Dear friend,
All but three Senate Democrats voted for the 13th time to NOT reopen the government, meaning that 42 million Americans are on track not to receive their SNAP benefits this Saturday, and nearly 2 million federal workers will not receive their paychecks. Nebraska has already stopped its SNAP benefits today, October 29th.
House Republicans and one Democrat fought to avoid this pain, passing a clean bill over a month ago. Even America's largest federal worker union, representing 820,000 employees, backs our bipartisan clean CR approach.
This week, I am meeting with non-profits, food pantries, utilities, financial institutions, and others to learn how the shutdown is affecting their operations and what they can do to assist those in need.
Plus, I am hosting a tele-town hall next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT to provide an update on the shutdown and answer your questions. To participate, constituents can call 855-962-1225 that evening. In addition to calling in, constituents can pre-register and join via the website at https://bacon.house.gov/live/. Residents of the 2nd District of Nebraska are welcome to participate.
Just the stats:
Air Traffic Control:
- There were 22 “staffing triggers” on Sunday, indicating personnel shortages at Air Traffic Control towers and facilities.
- 7,000 flights were delayed on Monday.
SNAP and WIC:
- On Saturday, 42 million Americans will not receive their SNAP benefits.
- Contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.
- Transfers from other sources would divert funding from school meals and infant formula.
- States willing to cover the cost of benefits will not be reimbursed because they are fully federally funded.
- WIC may also run out of funds as early as November 1st.
Federal Employees:
- Nearly 2 million Americans will miss paychecks, including Air Traffic Controllers and federal law enforcement officers.
Small Businesses
National Security Impacts:
- 2 million servicemembers are being forced to work without the guarantee of an on-time paycheck.
- 400,000 DoD civilians who perform critical national security activities must continue to report to work without pay.
- 330,000 DoD civilians have been furloughed, including military technicians.
- 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration workforce is furloughed.
- The military cannot enter into new contracts or renew existing contracts, needlessly delaying the acquisition of critical capabilities for our warfighters.
- Ongoing intelligence that informs weapons development and predicts geopolitical conditions has been stopped, hurting our ability to equip our troops and prepare for future threats.
