In a letter sent last week, members of the Alabama Legislature asked the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass a short-term funding extension to prevent a government shutdown.
The lawmakers first stressed the negative impact a shutdown could have on Alabamians, particularly the state's veterans.
"While holding federal funding hostage might seem like a viable strategy for advancing partisan reforms, the actual outcome is devastating for the everyday Americans you swore on Earth to serve in Alabama," the group wrote, according to a letter obtained by Alabama Daily News' Alex Angle.
"We have more than 400,000 veterans who depend on federally funded services. Similarly, military personnel, the men and women defending our country, depend on their hard-earned pay to support their families, but that isn't even the half of it," the group wrote.
According to the legislators, veterans and active members of the military would be far from the only groups affected.
"A shutdown would negatively impact public safety in our state. Interrupt critical services for seniors and low-income families and much more," they said. "The bottom line is that Alabama, like every other state, relies heavily on federal funding to serve its citizens. And these are not chips. Congress should be bargaining with."
The group specifically called out liberals in the upper chamber for being hesitant regarding the extension.
"There is a solution on the table that Senate Democrats should support. After all, they did vote for this funding extension just six months ago. There are no gimmicks or partisan poison pills. It's a clean, short-term funding measure that both parties have historically supported. In fact, under the Biden administration with Democrat leadership, Congress passed 13 clean funding extensions put in country over party."
According to the lawmakers, the precedent set by former President Joe Biden and Democratic leadership should be honored.
"A shutdown is neither sustainable nor a responsible way to govern," the letter continued. "And the American people understand that. That is why we are calling on Senate Democrats to fulfill their duties, put their politicking aside, and do what's best for the country. Keep the government open."
Lastly, the legislators made plain their opinion on the $1.5 trillion "wish list" now being demanded by the left.
"There is no path forward for the Democrats. It would give free healthcare for illegals and cut the single largest investment in rural healthcare in history-critical funding delivered in the President's tax legislation that will improve rural healthcare nationwide," they stated.
"We urge the Senate to do the right thing and act swiftly to pass a clean funding extension," the lawmakers added.
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