1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The ongoing 30-day government shutdown is causing severe hardship for 750,000 furloughed federal workers and their families. These dedicated civil servants, who have committed their careers to public service, are now struggling to make ends meet due to circumstances beyond their control. The human cost of this shutdown is staggering. Families are facing dire financial straits, unable to pay for basic necessities. In one heartbreaking case, a federal worker's husband, a military veteran, underwent cancer surgery just as the shutdown began. Now, they're left with unpaid medical bills, adding financial stress to an already challenging health situation. Federal employees are being forced to rely on food banks and free meal programs to feed their families. Many are taking on side jobs or going into debt to cover daily expenses, risking long-term financial consequences including damaged credit scores and mounting interest payments. Even 'excepted' employees who are required to work without pay are facing significant hardships. They must somehow find money for commuting costs and childcare expenses while receiving no income. This situation is not only unfair but also unsustainable. The impacts of this shutdown extend far beyond individual workers. Critical government functions across multiple departments are grinding to a halt. When work finally resumes, there will be significant backlogs in the Justice Department, GSA, NIH, Commerce, Labor, IRS, Social Security Administration, FEMA, and HUD, among others. This will have long-lasting effects on government operations and the services provided to all Americans. I urge you to take immediate action to end this shutdown and provide support for affected federal workers. These dedicated public servants should not be used as bargaining chips in political negotiations. Please work across the aisle to find a solution that reopens the government, ensures back pay for furloughed workers, and implements measures to prevent such extended shutdowns in the future. The well-being of hundreds of thousands of American families and the effective functioning of our government depend on your swift action.