Maryland doubles down on commitment to federal workers, as government shutdown reaches day 8
Maryland leaders doubled down on their commitment to support federal workers in the state as the government shutdown stretched into day eight on Wednesday.
Members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation, including Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Rep. Kweisi Mfume and Rep. Johnny Olszewski, held a news conference at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
The shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to reach a deal to approve new funding.
During a government shutdown, federal agencies halt nonessential functions. Each agency decides which employees are essential.
Maryland is providing ongoing support to federal workers who are furloughed or in essential positions but are having their paychecks delayed until Congress approves more spending.
"I want to be clear that here in Maryland and here in the State House, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect our people," Gov. Moore said Wednesday.
By law, federal employees are entitled to back pay once a funding agreement is reached, though this does not apply to independent contractors who sell goods or services to the U.S. government.
However, on Tuesday, President Trump suggested some federal workers may not receive back pay following the shutdown — contradicting a law he signed during his first term that guarantees all federal employees will be repaid once the government reopens.
"These workers are the backbone of our country, and they should not be politicized," Rep. Olszewski said.
Maryland aiding federal workers
Gov. Moore has been adamant about his commitment to providing assistance to federal workers in Maryland, which is home to more than 160,000 federal civilian jobs and about 225,000 jobs supported by federal contracts, according to the governor's office.
Last week, Moore said that he had directed state agencies to "use contingency plans" to keep critical services running, including federal programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and Head Start.
He added that Maryland is protecting veterans' access to essential services and shielding federal workers from eviction, foreclosure, and utility shutoffs by coordinating with the private sector.
According to the governor, the state's emergency resource website has received more than 45,000 views in one week. The Maryland Department of Labor has received 830 new unemployment insurance claims from federal employees since the shutdown began, the governor said.
On Tuesday, the state launched a loan program for essential employees impacted by the shutdown. The program offers a one-time, no-interest loan of $700 to help workers meet expenses, including rent and groceries.
Why is the government shut down?
Democrats and republicans failed to reach an agreement to extend government funding before the fiscal year deadline on October 1.
Republicans proposed keeping government funding at current levels through November 21 to give lawmakers more time to finalize full-year spending bills. Democrats countered with a plan to extend funding only through October, adding provisions related to health care and limits on President Trump's authority to withhold funds.
On Wednesday, the Senate will hold a sixth round of procedural votes on dueling measures to fund the government and end the shutdown. Both are expected to fail to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to advance, CBS News reported.
Maryland Democrats call for bipartisan budget deal
On Wednesday, Maryland Democrats said they are calling for a bipartisan budget deal.
One that "supports our federal employees without gutting healthcare for 20 million Americans," according to Rep. Elfreth.
Congressman Andy Harris responded to Wednesday's news conference, calling on Maryland's Democratic delegation to "stop pretending to stand with federal workers."
"Despite the high number of federal workers in our state, I was the only member of our delegation to vote to keep the government open," Harris said. "Every member of the Maryland Delegation voted to shut the government down, and Maryland's Senators, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, have voted to shut down the government five times --- and by all accounts will continue to do so. They could end this shutdown today if they truly cared about Maryland families."
The Maryland Freedom Caucus also released a statement, saying, "Governor Wes Moore runs to a microphone instead of leading. Federal workers need Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to vote to reopen the government, not demand taxpayer-funded health insurance for illegal immigrants. Marylanders deserve leadership, not political theater."