By Congressman Mike Simpson
Dear Friend,
The Schumer Shutdown continues. Idahoans and Americans nationwide are suffering because Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have blocked more than a dozen attempts to reopen the government.
Thousands of Americans experienced the impacts of flight delays and cancellations this weekend. This is not okay!
You may have seen the Air Traffic Controllers Union recently release a statement to pass a “clean” short-term spending bill to end the ongoing federal shutdown. Additionally, three pilot unions have called for Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution immediately. I completely agree — that’s why, on September 19th, I voted for, and the House passed, a clean funding extension.
The Schumer Shutdown is Impacting Americans’ Travel
There are several airports in Idaho. Notably, the Boise and Idaho Falls airports, which have a higher percentage of travelers and are two of the busiest airports in the state, are in my district. I am grateful for the dedicated TSA and FAA personnel across our great state and throughout the country, who are currently working without pay.
The American people deserve better. It’s time to end the Schumer Shutdown! Watch my weekly Washington update here.
Setting the Record Straight: This is the Schumer Shutdown
This week, I released an op-ed in response to the Idaho Statesman’s out-of-touch opinion piece regarding the ongoing Schumer Shutdown. Highlights are below.
On September 19th, the House passed a clean funding extension, with no policy riders, no gimmicks, and a limited timeframe, just a seven-week measure to keep the government open. In other words, exactly what the Democrats asked for leading up to the end of the fiscal year.
Republicans were shocked, myself included, when nearly every Democrat voted against this continuing resolution (CR). This is the same short-term funding extension Democrats supported thirteen times under President Biden. Same bill. New president. Ding ding ding – alarm bells should be going off. The full op-ed is available here.
My Office is Here to Help
My offices are still open during a shutdown to assist you however we can.
For assistance with constituent services (e.g., passports, IRS, immigration, and VA casework), please contact my Boise district office. During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing.
You can contact my office to open a case for you, and we can work with an agency on your behalf to provide you with updates if they are open or when they reopen at the conclusion of a shutdown. During a shutdown, my office will continue to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requests for updates on behalf of constituents, submit paperwork, and open new cases.
About Mike Simpson
An Idaho native, Mike Simpson was born in Burley and raised in Blackfoot. His political career began in 1980, when he was elected to the Blackfoot City Council. In 1984, he was elected to the Idaho Legislature where he served until 1998, the last six years serving as Speaker. Mike is currently serving his fourteenth term in the House of Representatives for Idaho’s second congressional district. Visit https://simpson.house.gov/ to learn more or find contact info.
