Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Rep. Blake Moore addressed the ongoing U.S. government shutdown in a town hall.
- Moore expressed hope for bipartisan resolution to end the shutdown affecting Utahns.
- He highlighted concerns over furloughed workers and potential loss of back pay.
FARMINGTON — As the U.S. government shutdown persists, Rep. Blake Moore said he's hopeful lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can soon come to a resolution so that those feeling the biggest brunt of the current situation can get back to work.
During a virtual hourlong town hall conducted via telephone Thursday evening, Moore briefed constituents on the ongoing shutdown and fielded questions from those who joined the call — largely from residents in Davis and Weber counties who voiced curiosity and concerns regarding their uncertain immediate future.
Thursday marked the ninth day of the shutdown, as Republican and Democratic politicians in Congress continue to disagree on budget resolutions to reopen the government.
Moore explained that the government shutdown occurred because lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement on a bill to fund services past Sept. 30. All branches must agree on spending plans for them to become law. While Republicans control both chambers of Congress, they lack the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass the bill, which gives Democrats leverage in negotiations.
Meanwhile in Utah, an estimated 0.81% of residents have been furloughed due to the shutdown, according to a new SmartAsset study. This includes thousands of employees in the federal workforce, many who just endured their first week without receiving a paycheck.
"Just missing a pay period right now because of this ongoing stuff back in Washington politics becomes very real, and securing some more anecdotal stories like that is going to be very, very difficult," said Moore, R-Utah, during the call. "And the fact that the bill hasn't passed today back in Washington" and doesn't have a good chance to pass by Oct. 15, "I'm concerned about that."
Moore acknowledged looming concerns about the impacts of the shutdown on servicemen and servicewomen at Hill Air Force Base, IRS employees in Ogden, where furloughs were announced on Wednesday, and those who work at local airports.
Questions from residents varied from why lawmakers couldn't meet the set deadlines to concerns over government workers potentially being denied back pay.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's administration warned in a memo that circulated throughout the White House that back pay may not be guaranteed for furloughed government workers, according to the Associated Press.
The move would reverse a long-standing policy that ensures furloughed employees receive back wages during a federal funding lapse.
"This is something that I don't think we need to have out there as even a narrative right now, because all of the uncertainty that you all are going through right now; like you don't need this added on top of it," Moore said.
Moore throughout the town hall reiterated a commitment to engage with constituents and work with lawmakers to find a way to end the shutdown.
"We've got to find a better way to finalize these appropriations (and) debate these prolonged shutdowns; this is going to be similar to what my colleague said, nobody wins in this," he said.
