West Virginia congressional delegation reacts to end of shutdown

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia’s congressional representatives and a federal employee were glad to hear of President Donald Trump’s decision to reopen the federal government. 

“I’m glad the government is finally reopening. This politically-motivated and extremely hurtful shutdown has harmed millions of Americans and West Virginians. I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to fix our border security and immigration problems,” U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said in a press release Friday following Trump’s decision to reopen the government. 

Eric Engle, an employee at the Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg, said it is refreshing to let federal employees get back to work. 

“The federal workers will receive back pay and a pay check during the three weeks the shutdown has been lifted,” Engle said. 

“This will really help get some out of the hardships they have faced these past 35 days,” he said. 

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said, “I am pleased the president has reached a deal to end the partial government shutdown so our federal employees in West Virginia and across the country can get back to work. I am grateful to them and their families for all they do every day on behalf of our nation. I look forward to the work of the conference committee and continuing the important discussion on the significant issue of border security.” 

Engle said another downside to the shutdown was how behind on work and training the federal government is in this second quarter. 

“President Trump has made an offer in good faith, and Democrats seem willing to negotiate. This is not a final solution but provides us three weeks to find a real compromise,” U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., said in a press release. The funding bill will end the partial government shutdown and fund the government until Feb. 15. 

“Democrats have said they are willing to negotiate once the government is open, and we look forward to seeing if they keep their word. Finally, I would thank the employees who have worked without pay, and who have suffered the most from this shutdown,” McKinley said. 

Engle asked, “If this wall is so important for our national security, why didn’t the Republican Party do this two years ago when they had full control? Why not then, why now?”