Business groups urge senators to pass clean funding bill to reopen federal government

FIRST ON FOX: Small business owners are losing billions in funding due to the government shutdown, with industry leaders releasing a letter Monday demanding that lawmakers pass a “Clean CR” and reopen the federal government.

“On behalf of our organizations representing millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners, we call on U.S. Senators to end the instability and hardship by passing a clear, continuing resolution that will allow continued negotiations on spending measures pending in Congress, including the future of COVID appropriations that will expire at the end of the year,” a letter addressed to all U.S. Senators and first obtained by Fox News Digital. “The viability of thousands of small businesses is at risk due to the shutdown, and it is unacceptable that the livelihoods of owners and their employees are sacrificed for expenses that can be resolved by a regular order.”

The letter was signed by six industry groups, including the Family Business Coalition, the International Franchise Association, the Job Creators Network, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, the National Restaurant Association and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.

The government shut down Oct. 1 after Senate lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal by a midnight deadline. Leaders of both political parties have since blamed each other for the shutdown, with Republicans arguing that Democrats were seeking taxpayer-funded medical benefits for illegal immigrants in their legislation, while Democrats have denied the accusation and asserted that Republicans would not join the negotiating table on citizen health care.

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A sign reading “The United States Capitol Visitor Center is closed due to insufficient funds” is posted at the entrance to the United States Capitol Visitor Center. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The letter urges lawmakers to reopen the government while highlighting a handful of examples of how Americans are suffering because of the shutdown, including small business owners losing billions of dollars in funding.

“According to the (Small Business Administration), 4,800 small businesses have been unable to receive $2.5 billion in capital since the shutdown began,” the groups warned. “Every day that the shutdown continues means that 320 additional small businesses will not have access to the SBA-guaranteed commercial loans that these businesses relied on for expansion and growth. Hundreds of thousands of workers are affected by the suspension through furloughs, job and wage reductions, and missed opportunities for local economies.

The Small Business Administration released data earlier in October showing that 320 small business owners lost $170 million in funding each day due to the shutdown, resulting in at least $2.5 billion in funding that could not be disbursed to business owners.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox Digital that the “Democratic shutdown” had caused “chaos” that was gripping business owners of all sizes.

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The White House has criticized Democrats for the ongoing shutdown that will force the National Nuclear Security Administration to furlough 80% of its staff. (Getty Images)

“From Wall Street to Main Street, the Democratic shutdown has created unnecessary chaos and economic uncertainty. Millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs have made it abundantly clear: It is time for Senate Democrats to pass the continuing resolution, reopen the government, and stop using Americans as ‘leverage’ for their radical policies,” Rogers said.

The letter adds that air travel disruptions and a shortage of air traffic controllers have affected business owners and consumers, and that small business owners are feeling the consequences of “ever-increasing costs and fewer and fewer choices” when it comes to health care coverage.

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A coalition of six business groups urged Senate lawmakers to reopen the government while highlighting a handful of examples of how Americans are suffering because of the shutdown, including small business owners losing billions of dollars in funding. (Liao Pan/Chinese News Service via Getty Images)

“When it comes to the rising cost of health insurance premiums, small businesses have been hit hardest by years of ever-increasing costs and fewer and fewer choices. The expiration of the premium tax credit is only a fraction of the reason many small businesses are seeing big premium increases for next year. Reducing costs and increasing affordable choices will be addressed through comprehensive reforms that must be addressed by Congress and state legislatures. well,” the letter said.

“The effects of the shutdown will only grow stronger every day unless the Senate acts. Passing a Clean CR is a smart, responsible, and bipartisan course of action. It will provide certainty to small business owners, employees, and workers who rely on actions from their elected officials that produce certainty and stability. We urge every Senator to support a Clean CR that allows the appropriations process to move forward to ensuring that the federal government remains open and operational,” the letter said.

At the moment, the closure has no end in sight. Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are taking issue with Trump traveling to Asia this week to meet with foreign leaders.

“Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do, not a leader who shirks responsibility when they need it most,” Schumer said Friday.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson, when asked about Schumer’s remarks, told media Monday that “President Trump has charged us with resolving this issue because it is an Article I issue.”

“The president did his best, he got them there before all this madness started, and Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries actually told him to jump in the Potomac,” Johnson said, CBS News reported. “So it’s up to the Democrats, everyone knows that. The president said he would meet with them on any issue. We’re happy to talk about it, but first they have to get the government reopened.”