“Children have only one childhood. Every day that children are being denied early education and nutritious food impacts their chances of living to their full potential. We must stand up for children across the country. The federal government shutdown must end and Congress should return to work to ensure the welfare of our children and our nation.” -Marian Wright Edelman

Extremist Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives hold funding for the federal government hostage for the second week in a row, shutting down the government and harming the economy and countless children and families across the country. They oppose a quick and clean extension of funding, without conditions, that would end the shutdown right now.  

• Nearly 9 million infants, pregnant women and children are at risk of losing infant formula, milk and other healthy food assistance from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

• 7,195 young children have been shut out of Head Start in AL, CT, FL, GA, SC and MS. This is on top of the 57,000 children that have already been cut from Head Start due to sequestration cuts this year.

• For every week that the government shutdown continues, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 30 children—10 of whom have cancer—will not be able to begin their clinical trials, potentially denying them life-saving treatment.

• Federal funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child care, child abuse and neglect services and other family programs is not available to states. States are using leftover funds from previous years and state rainy day funds, and in some cases, programs have closed.

To make matters worse, a severe economic meltdown is predicted if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling in the next two weeks to pay the nation’s bills and obligations.

You can act now to change this!

1. Call your representative:  Tell them to stop the shutdown and prevent an economic meltdown for the sake of our children.

Call toll-free to be connected to your representative: 

1-888-659-9562

Wednesday, October 9 through Friday, October 11

Suggested message:

As your constituent, I want you to act NOW to fully fund the federal government and to raise the debt ceiling without any conditions. Services for needy children have already been cut due to the sequester. Enough is enough. No more cuts for vulnerable children.

2. Speak up in your community about the impact of the shutdown on children. Talk to the local newspaper or TV station, write a letter to the editor, call-in to a local radio show and let them know how the shutdown is affecting children and others in your community.

Call today!! Members of Congress tally calls and pay great attention to local media. Let them know what you think.

-          Children’s Defense Fund