The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the country’s largest union representing federal workers, has issued a public call for Democratic lawmakers to support a Republican-led proposal to reopen the government. The union’s endorsement comes as the shutdown surpasses its fourth week and thousands of federal employees face unpaid work or furloughs.
Union President Everett Kelley criticized both parties for protracted negotiations but emphasized that the union’s pressing priority is ending the funding impasse and restoring paychecks. The letter urged Democrats to join Republicans in passing a spending resolution rather than continue stalling for more substantial policy concessions.
The union’s turnaround signals internal pressure building within Democratic ranks, where some members have grown uncomfortable with a prolonged shutdown amid rising economic hardship for federal staff and contractors. With bipartisan solution options gaining traction, AFGE’s intervention may shift momentum toward a deal sooner than expected.