UPDATE: Federal workers in Minnesota are calling for urgent action from lawmakers as the government shutdown reaches its 30th day. Union leaders delivered heart-wrenching testimonies on October 30, 2023, revealing that many are struggling to pay rent and are relying on food donations to get by.
During a meeting of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Federal Impacts, Mark Johnson, a representative for TSA agents from Duluth, highlighted the dire situation facing approximately 1,000 TSA agents among the 18,000 federal employees in Minnesota. “I’ve got officers that have come to me that say my rent is due on November 1. I don’t have the funds for that,” he stated. “How do people sustain that when you are paycheck to paycheck?”
Neal Gosman, a TSA agent at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, echoed this sentiment, revealing that his colleagues left work with food boxes to feed their families just yesterday. Johnson, a veteran union member of 18 years, expressed concern about the potential for the shutdown to break the record of 35 days, stating, “It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people.”
Testimonies from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture underscored the shutdown’s impact on essential services. Dr. Nicole Neeser, who oversees meat inspection, warned that without federal inspectors, processing plants cannot sell products, putting public health at risk. Dr. Brian Hoefs, responsible for animal health, mentioned that Minnesota, already hit hard by avian flu with 208 confirmed cases, faces additional threats without proper federal communication and support.
In another worrying development, Alex Fitzsimmons from the Children’s Defense Fund brought attention to the federal nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Minnesota typically receives about $9 million monthly for WIC, with funds expected to last only through the third week of November. “Losing access to WIC would result broadly in increased hunger, poorer health outcomes, and greater financial strain for thousands of pregnant women, infants, and young children in Minnesota,” she warned.
Attorney General Keith Ellison addressed the subcommittee regarding his lawsuit against the USDA, arguing that the stoppage of SNAP benefits is illegal. He revealed that a federal judge is expected to rule on the case later today. “It’s intolerable that nearly 500,000 Minnesotans could go hungry when the law clearly provides for funding to help it across previous federal government shutdowns,” Ellison stated.
State lawmakers are searching for ways to mitigate the shutdown’s effects. Senator Erin Maye Quade expressed the need for legislative fixes to “backfill” lost federal funds. Minnesota’s budget for the next two years was already passed with hopes of addressing a projected $6 billion deficit for 2028. “This is not something that a state should be having to figure out,” she emphasized.
As the shutdown continues, the pressure mounts on federal leaders to reach a resolution. The human impact of this stalemate is palpable, with families facing eviction and hunger. Lawmakers are urged to put aside partisanship and work towards a solution that will support the Americans reliant on these essential services.
Keep an eye on further developments as the situation evolves, and the implications of the federal shutdown deepen for countless Minnesotans.
