For Immediate Release
December 21, 2018
Contact: Raul Garcia, Earthjustice -rgarcia@earthjustice.org, (202)
797-5251
Government Shutdown Set to Begin at
Midnight, Fueled by Impasse Resulting from Trump Administration's Insistence on Funding for "Hateful" Border Wall
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers, including approximately 80% of National Park Service staff likely to be affected during holidays
Washington, D.C. -- As the deadline for funding large portions of the federal government
neared Friday evening, lawmakers
in the House and Senate, as well as the Trump administration, remained at an impasse, sharply increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown.
More than 380,000 workers nationwide may be furloughed for the holidays as the result of a government shutdown,
including over 28,000 Forest Service staff and 16,000 National Park Service staff. Experts estimate that the economic impact could be significant: the National Park System alone sees an estimated half-million people a day in the winter months, visitors who
spend close to $19 million each day in neighboring communities.
The following is a statement from Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen:
“Border communities as well as Federal workers and their families — including those who maintain and preserve
our iconic national parks — shouldn’t have to live in fear at the holidays because of President Trump’s childish pursuit of a useless, dangerous and hateful border wall. Members of Congress, including many of those in President Trump’s own party, rejected
his wall. They did so because they understand that walls are lethal to our people and our wildlife, destroy nature, habitats, and resources, and betray the fundamental values we hold dear in our country. Congress must stand up to Trump’s shutdown. Let's pass
a clean government funding bill and send President Trump’s wall to the trash bin.“
