Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan has led a group of Republican representatives from the state in sending a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. The letter urges Democratic senators to support a “clean continuing resolution” that would end the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted for more than a month.
The lawmakers wrote, “On behalf of all Floridians, we ask that you do the right thing and vote for the clean continuing resolution to pay our federal workers and servicemembers, restore crucial benefits programs like SNAP and WIC and allow Americans to once again access essential health services. Floridians and Americans deserve a government that puts them above politics. It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop holding government funding hostage and join House Republicans to reopen the government for the American people.”
Other Florida representatives joining Buchanan include Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Kat Cammack, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos Giménez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, Jimmy Patronis, John Rutherford, Maria Salazar and Daniel Webster.
In their message addressed to Schumer and Durbin, the group criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting what they described as a “clean” funding bill already passed by the House. They claim that instead of backing this measure, Democrats are seeking “a reckless $1.5 trillion partisan spending package filled with wasteful priorities.” The letter specifically cites concerns about proposals including taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants and cuts to rural health programs.
The signatories highlighted several impacts of the shutdown on Floridians. They note that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds have run out—affecting 42 million Americans nationwide including nearly three million in Florida—and warn that benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are also at risk.
They also point out that two million federal employees across the country are affected by lost paychecks during the shutdown. According to their statement: “155,000 federal employees in Florida are now going without pay. These workers still have to pay bills such as childcare, mortgages, rent payments and car payments. Whether it is the air traffic controller keeping our skies safe or the federal police officer protecting our communities, it is unconscionable to tell these hardworking men and women that political gamesmanship takes precedence over their livelihoods.”
Additionally mentioned was the loss of access to certain health programs such as “Hospital at Home,” which provided care options outside hospitals but has been discontinued due to lack of funding.
Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th district in Congress since 2007 after succeeding Katherine Harris. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives. Born in Detroit in 1951, Buchanan currently resides in Sarasota. He earned his degrees from Cleary University (1975) and University of Detroit Mercy (1986).
The letter concludes: “Floridians and Americans deserve a government that puts them above politics. It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop holding government funding hostage and join House Republicans to reopen the government for the American people.”
