IFPTE Applauds House of Representatives Bipartisan Bill to Avert a Government Shutdown and Keep the Government Funded Through November 14

WASHINGTON, DC – The Executive Officers of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), representing 90,000 workers throughout North America, including tens of thousands of federal workers across the United States, responded to the House of Representatives passage of H.R. 5860, the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through November 14.

IFPTE President Matt Biggs and IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson:

“Today, just hours before a federal government shutdown appeared likely, the House of Representatives has taken a strong bipartisan approach to funding the federal government for the next 45 days at current Fiscal Year 2023 levels. We applaud the 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans voting to send this bill to the Senate, and we request the Senate pass this bill immediately. While this continuing resolution does not include some of the important additional funding requested by the White House for federal student aid, for supporting Ukraine, and for maintaining appropriate levels of customer service at the Social Security Administration, we fully expect Congress to provide proper funding for federal agencies at spending levels that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden agreed to three months ago, and Congress passed as a part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

We acknowledge the efforts and the voice of IFPTE members employed by the federal government. Their public service supports our economy, our communities, our homeland security, and our national defense. Their advocacy moved Members of Congress, and particularly Speaker McCarthy, to finally do the right thing and make sure Congress does not lock them out of their jobs, their paychecks, and their service to the American public. We are hopeful that moving forward the Speaker will use this experience as a lesson to put the country and federal employees and their families ahead of the radical demands of the handful of the anti-government extremists in his Caucus.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Contact: Candace Rhett
202-239-4880