Congress has until the end of the month to pass legislation to fund the government, or risk shutdown. A government shutdown would not only harm our nation’s economy but would also threaten the financial security of over a million workers and interrupt crucial public services. We need our legislators to fulfill their duty and keep the government running.

Act now and urge Congress to pass a clean bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) that includes needed emergency funding to support a range of domestic needs, and that does not contain any of the harmful poison pill policy riders embedded in the 12 House spending bills, including a number of anti-LGBTQ+ and reproductive health provisions. A clean CR would ensure essential programs can continue while Congress works to finish FY24 funding.

As Congress looks ahead to address the country’s funding needs, also encourage your legislators to prioritize funding to the many crucial programs included in nondefense appropriations. Programs that assist with housing and childcare for low-income families, support for education, medical care, veterans’ services, environmental protections, and many more, are all included in nondefense appropriations and should be robustly funded to help strengthen our communities.

As UCC advocates, we understand our call and responsibility to care for the poor and the vulnerable. When there are voices calling for government shutdown, or cuts to vital programs that provide needed resources to our neighbor, we cannot be silent. Tell Congress: keep the government running with a clean bipartisan CR, and pass funding bills that prioritize human needs.