Leaders of the National Governors Association are urging President Donald Trump and congressional leaders to end the partial government shutdown, telling them, “a federal government shutdown should not be a negotiating tactic as disagreements are resolved.”
The group’s chairman, Montana Democrat Steve Bullock, and vice-chairman, Maryland Republican Larry Hogan, sent the letter late Monday.
The message was made public Tuesday, the 18th day of the shutdown, as Trump prepares to make his case in a prime-time speech that there’s a crisis on the border with Mexico that must be addressed.
The governors said federal workers are being hurt and that state business is being affected by shutdowns of federal departments and agencies.
They also warned that shorelines are at risk with reduced Coast Guard capabilities.