Merkley Statement on OMB’s Threat to Fire Public Servants if Republicans Shut Down the Government

Merkley Statement on OMB's Threat to Fire Public Servants if Republicans Shut Down the Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement following release of the memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) detailing mass layoffs as Republicans continue on a path toward shutting down the government.

"This threat has nothing to do with keeping the government open - it is just another strong arm attempt from Donald Trump and his hatchet man Russ Vought to dismantle the government piece by piece. They are threatening to lay off thousands of hardworking public servants for nothing more than doing their jobs - jobs that the American people rely on. Instead of threatening the livelihoods of government workers, Republicans should come to the table and negotiate a funding bill that prevents health care premiums from skyrocketing for families and keeps the government open," said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

###