Rep. Salazar Joins Florida Republicans in Letter Urging Senate Democrats to End Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and members of the Florida Republican delegation in sending a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill) urging them to pass the House-passed clean continuing resolution and end the ongoing Democrat-led shutdown that is hurting families across Florida.

"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 service members, restore crucial benefits programs like SNAP and WIC and allow Americans to once again access essential health services," the lawmakers wrote. "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."

The letter, led by Rep. Buchanan, is also signed by Florida Representatives Brian J. Mast, Aaron Bean, Daniel Webster, John H. Rutherford, Laurel M. Lee, Cory Mills, Kat Cammack, Carlos A. Gimenez, Randy Fine, Byron Donalds, Anna Paulina Luna, Mike Haridopolos, Gus M. Bilirakis, Jimmy Patronis, C. Scott Franklin, Neal P. Dunn, M.D., reflecting the delegation's unified call for the Senate to act immediately and deliver relief to hardworking Floridians affected by the shutdown.

"Families in Miami and across the country are paying the price for Washington's dysfunction," said Rep. Salazar. "House Republicans already voted to keep the government open, protect food assistance for millions, and ensure our service members and federal workers get paid. The Senate must do its job. It's time for Democrats to stop playing politics with people's lives."

This letter adds on Representative Salazar's record of action to reopen the government and protect Floridians during the shutdown, including:

• Voting to keep the government open by supporting the House-passed continuing resolution (CR), to fund government operations and protect key programs while negotiations continue.
  
• Co-sponsoring H.R 5822 to keep SNAP funded.
  
• Co-sponsoring H.R 5145 to extend healthcare subsidies for another year. 
  
• Joining members of the Republican Women Caucus in sending a letter to female Democratic senators urging immediate action to end the shutdown. The letter called to protect programs like WIC.

Read the full letter here.