Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - With three days remaining until a potential government shutdown, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today warned that House Republicans - who are blocking budget action by House and Senate Democrats - and Senate Republicans - are risking serious consequences for PA-05 families.

“Pennsylvania families shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for House Republicans’ inability to govern,” said Rep Scanlon. “A shutdown would force troops to work without pay, harm small businesses, risk air travel disruptions, and endanger access to food assistance for families. It is unconscionable that House Republicans would hurt working families, damage our economy, and endanger our national security.”

According to new data released by House Budget Committee Democrats, a Republican government shutdown for Pennsylvanians would mean:

• 72,192 federal workers in Pennsylvania would be furloughed or forced to work without pay, in addition to the many employees of businesses with government contracts who could be laid off, furloughed, or see their hours cut;
• 30,378 active duty and reserve personnel Pennsylvanians serving our nation's armed forces would be forced to go without the pay they earn during a shutdown;
• 1,936,773 Pennsylvanians would lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in a prolonged shutdown;
• 177,335 Pennsylvanians would soon lose access to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits;
• 35,665 people flying through Pennsylvania airports every day would face potential delays and safety concerns due to staffing impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers;
• 7,612,460 people who visit national parks in Pennsylvania every year would be turned away or unable to fully access parks, monuments, and museums.

Rep. Scanlon continued, “I will continue working with my colleagues towards a viable solution to keep the government open and protect PA-05 families from a devastating government shutdown. It’s time for House Republicans to do their jobs, put American families first, and stop charging towards a government shutdown.”

To help constituents plan for a possible federal government shutdown, Rep. Scanlon's office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions here. 

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