Saunders: 'There is work to do to ensure that we don’t face another race against the clock'

AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the bipartisan deal to avert a government shutdown:

“We can breathe a sigh of relief – for now.

“Once again, extremists in Congress played a dangerous game, manufacturing an unnecessary crisis that would have imposed reckless cuts to programs working families depend on every day for food, health care, child care, housing and more.

“But bipartisan majorities have shown grown-up, responsible leadership, avoiding the pain and disruption of another government shutdown. Federal employees, thousands of whom are represented by AFSCME, will be at work on Monday to continue serving the nation.

“The Congressional Resolution passed and signed last night is just a short-term stopgap, of course. There is work to do to ensure that we don’t face another race against the clock right before the holiday season.”