The National Association of Manufacturers and 30 state manufacturing groups sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, asking to reopen the government.
In the letter, the groups say the shutdown’s consequences include slowing down the safety approvals of products, pausing inspections of new facilities and causing permitting difficulties.
“To ensure President Trump’s tax and regulatory agenda unleashes opportunity for the American people, the federal government should be doing everything in its power to support manufacturers’ ability to invest, create jobs and grow,” Wednesday’s letter reads. “That requires reopening the government without further delay, and a clean continuing resolution is the swiftest and most effective way to achieve that.”
The House passed a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded and operational, but it has been blocked in the Senate 13 times. Democrats are leveraging this to seek concessions from Republicans on extending enhanced health insurance subsidies under Obamacare, set to expire at the end of the year.
“With each passing day, the American people suffer new losses, and businesses remain stuck in neutral,” the letter continues. “It is time to move forward and allow the federal government to get back to work for Americans and their communities.”
On Monday, the country’s largest union representing federal workers called on Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown by passing a short-term spending measure.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
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