Congressman Bean Supports Essential Workers During the Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON-U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) sent an open letter to utilities and financial institutions across Northeast Florida, urging them not to impose service shutoffs or penalties on tens of thousands of active-duty service members, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement, and federal government employees who are not receiving pay during the ongoing Senate-led shutdown.

Upon sending the letter, Congressman Bean said, "The people who serve our country and communities shouldn't be punished for political gridlock. They're showing up, doing their jobs, but not getting paid on time. I'm asking local institutions to step up, pause the penalties, keep the lights on, and help these families stay afloat until Washington gets moving again."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As the Senate-led shutdown continues to disrupt lives across the country, Congressman Bean is taking decisive action to protect the workers and families most affected. So far, he has:

• Cosponsored the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, ensuring service members continue receiving pay during a shutdown. No one defending our country should have to worry about making ends meet.
• Cosponsored the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, which guarantees pay for homeland security personnel-including TSA agents, ICE officers, Border Patrol agents, and Coast Guard members-who are essential to our safety and deserve financial certainty.
• Introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, a bill that keeps air traffic controllers and FAA personnel paid during the shutdown by temporarily drawing from existing airport trust funds, to be repaid once the government reopens.
• Requested that his own congressional pay be withheld until the government is funded-demonstrating leadership by example and standing in solidarity with those going unpaid.

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

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