Davids Meets with Furloughed Federal Workers Impacted by Ongoing Government Shutdown

KANSAS CITY, MO — Today, Representative Sharice Davids met with federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown, including several who have been furloughed without pay. The discussion centered on how the shutdown is straining Kansas families, disrupting local economies, and threatening essential public services. Davids shared her urgency to find a bipartisan solution to open the government as soon as possible.

“My mom, an Army veteran, raised my brothers and me on her own. If she had missed even one paycheck, it could’ve meant choosing between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table,” said Davids. “That’s the reality so many federal workers in the Kansas City area are facing right now — and they shouldn’t be caught in the crossfire of D.C. politics. These workers keep our communities running, from processing veterans’ benefits to keeping our skies safe. I’m committed to working across the aisle to reopen the government and protect the livelihoods of Kansas families.”

Furloughed federal workers who participated in the conversation included employees from Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Labor, each sharing how the shutdown has affected their families and workplaces. Representatives from National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) also participated. 

Earlier this year, Davids convened a discussion with federal workers who were laid off due to the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives, led by Elon Musk. The conversation shed light on the personal and community impacts of the substantial federal workforce reductions currently underway.

“The shutdown has added anxiety and fear to a year that has already been full of those two things,” said Kevin McCarthy, Legislative and Political Coordinator, AFGE Local 3960. “Between the fork email, the Deferred Resignation Program, and the constant threat of layoffs and budgetary cuts, it has been a stressful year to say the least. I’ve had to take a deep look at my finances during this shutdown and cut back on some things. It has also been stressful for myself and my wife because there seems to be no clear end in sight.”

“Hard-working public servants are struggling every day with anxiety and uncertainty as we feel like we are being declared enemies of the people, and we are facing unprecedented threats to our well-being,” said Daniel Scharpenburg, 1st Vice President, NTEU Chapter 66.

Kansas City, a major hub for federal employment, has been experiencing widespread impacts from federal layoffs for months. The federal government is the Kansas City metropolitan area’s largest employer, with approximately 30,000 federal workers. These furloughs affect Kansas City families, local economies, and the critical services federal employees provide to the public.

Davids is pushing for a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and protect Kansans from the consequences of partisan gridlock in D.C. She recently announced her support for two bills: one to guarantee pay for aviation workers and another to ensure active-duty service members continue receiving their paychecks. Kansas is home to more than 25,000 federal employees and more than 21,000 active-duty service members.

While Davids works to reopen the government, Kansans impacted by the shutdown can visit davids.house.gov/shutdown for resources that may help during this time. Impacted federal workers can also utilize Davids’ Job Seekers Guide, which provides valuable resources for finding new employment and support during periods of unemployment.