Signs of hope amid shutdown madness

While the worst in politics remains the rule in Washington, it is heartening to see some sanity, and some compassion, at the local level. In the nation’s capital, the partial shutdown of the federal government shows no sign of ending. That means hundreds of thousands of people aren’t getting paid, and many more are doing without services they depend on. It’s dragged on long enough that it’s having a measurable effect on people’s lives and on the economy, including here in Connecticut.

In response, the state has rallied, from the governor’s office down to local businesses. People are hurting, and those with the ability to help are doing what they can.

The most consequential action has come from Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative leaders from both parties in Hartford. They announced recently an agreement to enable idle federal workers as well as those working without pay to receive unemployment assistance under a deal reached between the state and private banks and credit unions. It’s the kind of step that will help keep people whole while they wait for the Washington mess to be sorted out, and state leaders deserve credit for making it happen.

There’s also good news on other fronts. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton announced a plan in concert with Union Savings Bank to help federal workers, one among several locally based solutions. Soup kitchens in New Haven and elsewhere are spreading the word that people don’t have to choose between a meal and a mortgage payment. Businesses are offering discounts, job fairs are sending out special invitations to idle workers and people in a variety of other sectors are offering a hand to those in need.

It’s a welcome sign that people can get the help they deserve.

It’s unfortunate, though, that any of this is necessary. As has been mentioned, both houses of Congress passed a bill in December to pay for the government to stay open, but the president vetoed it and demanded a border wall. A border wall can be discussed — and there are plenty of reasons to think it’s an inadequate solution to a nonexistent crisis — but it must be debated in the proper setting. Federal workers and their well-being cannot be held hostage.

There is pressure on Democrats to give in to a compromise on wall funding just to break the logjam, but it’s easy to understand their reticence. To set a precedent that the president can simply refuse to keep the government open and make demands for any policy aim he can’t otherwise achieve would be dangerous. Republicans, too, should recognize they won’t always be the party running the executive branch.

Local solutions, no matter how well-intentioned, can only go so far. The prolonged shutdown is causing real harm, and could be ended at any time, with or without the president’s OK. Congress has the power to override his veto.

They need to use it.

Local solutions, no matter how well-intentioned, can only go so far. The prolonged shutdown is causing real harm.