IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
181506
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
THECOMMON COUNCIL
Title
Substitute resolution urging the President and the United States Congress to act quickly to end the on-going Federal government shutdown.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s concern for the welfare of those who are suffering from the on-going Federal government shutdown and urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to act quickly to pass legislation ending the shutdown. The City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States and all members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.
Body
Whereas, On December 22, 2018, the President of the United States and the United States Congress failed to agree on the timely appropriation of sufficient funds <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriations_bill_(United_States)> for the 2019 fiscal year <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_States_federal_budget> or a temporary continuing resolution <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuing_resolution>, resulting in a shutdown of Federal government offices and services that continues to this day; and
Whereas, The Federal government shutdown has furloughed hundreds of thousands of government employees, leaving them facing the uncertainty of lost wages, while thousands of “essential” government workers have been required to continue to work without compensation; and
Whereas, The closure of Federal offices and loss of funding has caused hundreds of government-backed programs to completely cease operations; and
Whereas, The shutdown has halted the issuance of small business loans and permits needed by local businesses to maintain and expand operations, and has interfered with hiring by closing down employee verification systems; and
Whereas, The Internal Revenue Service has been largely shuttered, leaving significant doubt as to whether tax refunds will be processed in a timely manner; and
Whereas, The government shutdown has halted mortgage approvals under programs designed to help individuals purchase homes with low down-payments and at low interest rates; and
Whereas, There is growing concern that a prolonged shutdown could cause Department of Agriculture-run programs, including SNAP and WIC, that provide nutritional assistance to low-income individuals and their children, to run out of funds and miss payments as soon as February 2019; and
Whereas, Federally-subsidized housing programs that provide housing for low-income households, including the Section 8 voucher program, are also affected by the government shutdown, which could result in tenant evictions; and
Whereas, The harm to Milwaukee residents and businesses from the Federal government shutdown is immediate and on-going, and will continue to be felt long after the shutdown ends; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee expresses its concern for the welfare of Milwaukee’s residents and businesses suffering from the on-going Federal government shutdown; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to act quickly to pass legislation ending the Federal government shutdown; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States and all members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB173306-2
Dana J. Zelazny
January 11, 2019