30 state manufacturing groups call on Congress to end government shutdown

Exclusive: The current one Government shutdown It is having a negative impact on the operations of American manufacturers, and dozens of state manufacturing associations are writing to congressional leaders urging them to reopen the federal government, according to a letter reviewed by FOX Business.

The thirtieth state Manufacturing groups The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-D., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., calling for an end to the shutdown.

“An open, fully functioning government is essential to the growth of the American economy, the success of manufacturers across the country and the well-being of our communities,” they said in the letter, adding that the shutdown “stifles our ability to invest in our communities and our people” while also “reducing trust in our institutions.”

“To ensure that President Trump’s tax and regulatory agenda unleashes opportunity for the American people, the federal government must do everything it can to support manufacturers’ ability to invest, create jobs, and grow,” the manufacturers wrote. “This requires the government to reopen without further delay, and a clean, continuous solution is the fastest and most effective way to achieve this.”

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The federal government shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to enact a law Temporary spending bill That would expand funding as Republican and Democratic lawmakers negotiate annual appropriations bills.

While it passed the House of Representatives for a short period Continuing resolution To keep the government funded and running, the bill has not been advanced in the Senate, where Democrats have blocked it as they seek concessions from Republicans on extending enhanced health insurance subsidies under Obamacare that are set to expire at the end of the year.

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The government shutdown began on October 1. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images/Getty Images)

As the lockdown enters its fifth week, manufacturers warn it is having a noticeable impact on their ability to access services Inspections and permits And that “the consequences of the government shutdown extend far beyond the halls of federal office buildings.”

“It slows important safety approvals for products that families depend on, especially life-saving health care products,” they said. “Inspections of new facilities, including manufacturing facilities and power plants, come to a complete halt – meaning newly completed plants remain idle and valuable energy sources cannot be added to the grid.”

“Issuing permits becomes next to impossible, and housing projects, retail construction, data centers, industrial production lines, infrastructure projects and other job-creating investments cannot get off the ground,” the manufacturing groups wrote.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., are pushing for an extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu/Getty Images)

They added: “With each passing day, the American people suffer new losses, and companies remain stuck on the sidelines.” “It’s time to move on and let go Federal government “To get back to work for Americans and their communities.”

“Every day the government is shut down, job creation projects are halted, supply chains are disrupted, permits are halted, product approvals and facility inspections are delayed, and safety approvals for American families are put on hold,” NAM CEO Jay Timmons told FOX Business in a statement.

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“Manufacturers across the country believe a clean, ongoing solution is the quickest way to reopen the government and continue building America,” Timmons added.