From the Lexington Herald-Leader: McConnell’s constituents are hurting. He should end the government shutdown.
From today's New York Times: Trump Agrees to Reopen Government for 3 Weeks in Surprise Retreat From Wall. Click here to read more.
By BILL LONDRIGAN
Kentucky State AFL-CIO president
Workers from the U.S. Census Bureau, where 700 employees are currently furloughed and not receiving their paychecks, gathered at the Federal Building on Broadway in Louisville on Jan. 10 to tell their stories in front of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office. That was on day 20 of the government shutdown and the testimony delivered by these workers was heart wrenching and disturbing.
Before relaying some of what was said to this gathering of fellow workers and supporters from among the area labor and civil rights communities it should be clear that these workers, their spouses, children and communities are collateral damage in an ill-conceived quest to impose one person’s will while others avoid or deny responsibility for this ruinous shutdown. These federal workers, our fellow citizens, neighbors and friends, earn around $30,000 annually on average and like many workers live paycheck to paycheck.