A bipartisan group of Mass. lawmakers called on Markey and Warren to help end the shutdown

Politics

The lawmakers described the situation in Washington as “untenable” and voiced concerns about how the shutdown is affecting Massachusetts families.

This week, all signs point toward the current government shutdown becoming the longest in American history. A bipartisan group of Massachusetts lawmakers, however, are urging Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren to take actions that would end the shutdown. 

Thirty-two members of the Massachusetts Legislature signed a letter to Markey and Warren late last week to express their “deep concerns” about how the shutdown is affecting residents. 

Many elected officials, including the two senators, have sounded the alarm recently over disruptions to SNAP food benefits caused by the shutdown. Benefits were set to end over the weekend, but the Trump administration said Monday that SNAP would continue to be partially funded, at least for the time being. 

The Massachusetts lawmakers pointed out the adverse effects of the shutdown even before the disruptions to SNAP. Small businesses that depend on government help are struggling, air traffic controllers and other essential employees are being furloughed, and low-income families are losing access to multiple programs they rely on. About 25,000 federal employees in Massachusetts are being impacted, according to the lawmakers. 

“The ongoing stalemate at the federal level is untenable and is creating significant hardships and uncertainty for many Americans,” they wrote. “We cannot allow this situation to continue indefinitely without a resolution because far too many people are being hurt by Congress’ inaction. While both parties may disagree on certain policy priorities, maintaining the basic operations of government and protecting the people we serve should never be a partisan issue.”

Most of the state Legislature’s GOP minority signed the letter, including Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. They were joined by Democrats like state Sen. Liz Miranda, and state Reps. Patrick Kearney and Russell Holmes. 

They called on Markey and Warren to vote in favor of a “clean” short-term spending bill known as a continuing resolution, arguing that doing so would be the easiest way to end the shutdown. Democrats in the Senate have repeatedly opposed a measure already passed by the House, holding out in an attempt to make sure health insurance subsidies do not expire. Both Markey and Warren voted against the measure last week. 

Spokespeople for Markey and Warren did not return requests for comment Monday. 

“Families are getting notices that their health care premiums will go up by hundreds of dollars a month. Some will be priced out of coverage entirely,” Warren said on social media Sunday. “Americans across the country are counting on us to lower health care costs. Democrats are fighting for every one of them.”

Markey called out House Republicans in a video posted to social media Friday, saying that they should return to Washington and negotiate with congressional Democrats. 

“They haven’t been in Washington for a month and a half. So, it’s very hard to sit down and negotiate with people who are scattered all across the rest of the country,” he said.