This stupid situation in Congress regarding continuing budget resolutions and shutting down the government is patently irresponsible and a ridiculous waste of taxpayer money.

Contract awards are delayed, planning is hindered, hiring freezes inhibit economical staffing, etc, etc.

Government employees who are furloughed with a shutdown wind up getting extra paid leave because, to my knowledge, they don’t lose any pay. For political and other reasons, legislators always ensure they are fully compensated when they do return to work, experiencing only a delay in receiving their money. Meanwhile, we’ve lost their productivity during the shutdown period. Makes no sense whatsoever.

The current stalemate over border wall funding can be easily resolved by holding Donald Trump to his repeated promises. Just get written confirmation from the Mexican government that it will fund construction as Trump promised during his campaign, and Congress and the American people will have no problem appropriating necessary funds..

Neal Herbert

Hilo

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