Rep. Baumgartner calls government shutdown ‘reckless course’, Governor blames President Trump

SPOKANE, Wash. — Eastern Washington’s Congressional representative is calling on Democrats to approve a spending plan and reopen the government while Washington’s governor is blaming the Republican-led chambers and President Trump.

The federal government shutdown began Wednesday after lawmakers could not reach a deal by the midnight deadline.

Here’s what’s impacted.

Eastern Washington Representative Michael Baumgartner issued a statement saying, in part, Americans deserve a government that spends wisely.

The full statement can be seen below:

“Our nation is over $37.5 trillion in debt. Taxpayers deserve a government that spends their money wisely. While negotiations continue on spending bills, I supported continuing government funding at Biden-era spending levels to keep the government open through November 21st. Sadly, Democrats are opting to shut down the government at their own spending levels over unrealistic demands of expanding Obamacare and free healthcare for illegal immigrants. Democrat leadership should take a step back from this reckless course. Their tactics will be unsuccessful and important federal employees, our service members, and the American taxpayer will suffer as a result of this chaos. I applaud Democrat Senators John Fetterman, Angus King, and Catherine Cortez Masto for doing the right thing to join Republicans by voting to keep the government open and putting country over party. The rest of the Democrats in Congress should do the same.”Washington Governor Bob Ferguson also issued a statement saying the fault lies with President Trump.That statement can be seen below: “President Trump controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. It’s clear where the responsibility lies to keep the government running. The president should stop playing games with services the people of Washington pay for and rely on, as well as the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of government workers.Washington is home to nearly 80,000 federal workers. Many of those workers will be furloughed, temporarily laid off, or forced to work without pay through a shutdown. Our Employment Security Department is prepared to help federal workers find resources they need to get through the shutdown.”