We have a month to get the government back in order.

We only have one month left before the stop-gap legislation we passed to keep the government open expires.

Certain House Republicans decided to use the first 15 days to manufacture a new crisis within Congress. While they are worried about who gets that gavel and playing politics — I am worried about how we will avert a government shutdown. We only have a month left to ensure:

• 65,000 children do not lose access to childcare
• 60,000 seniors are not robbed of nutrition services like Meals on Wheels
• 63,000 government employees are not furloughed
• 50,000 workers would lose an average of $1,000 in back wages they are owed
• 79,000 military personnel (in Washington state alone) do not work without pay
  

These are real, tangible, impacts of ineffective leadership. And while they play politics, our communities' most vulnerable are left to deal with the consequences of their actions. That is plainly inexcusable.

More soon,

Rick