Posted originally on CTH on October 27, 2025 | Sundance

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union has now released a statement [SEE HERE] saying both sides have proved their point, and it is now time to end the federal government shutdown and pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR).

This move will put significant pressure on the Leftists and Democrats to stop their federal government shutdown. The AFGE represents 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers.  The position by the AFGE carries with it a cultural component in alignment with the DC membership makeup.

In approximately one week SNAP benefits will be at risk, and collectively the interests of the AFGE and the AME (African Methodist Episcopal Church) come into alignment. The change in position is not coincidental.

WASHINGTON — The country’s largest union representing federal workers is calling for lawmakers to pass a short-term spending measure to immediately end the government shutdown, urging Democrats to abandon their current position and join Republicans in supporting a stopgap solution.

“Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley wrote in a statement first shared with NBC News. “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.”

The statement could increase pressure on Democrats to budge from their stance. Senate Democrats have insisted that they won’t vote to reopen the government without a commitment from Republicans and President Donald Trump on extending health care subsidies through the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Without them, health insurance premiums on Obamacare markets will skyrocket for many individuals and families. (more)