Pappas’ 1st speech is about workers struggling in shutdown

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas, in his first House floor speech, has told stories of federal workers in his district suffering as a result of the partial government shutdown.

Pappas on Thursday talked about a furloughed IRS worker from Sandown whose bank denied her a loan because it couldn’t talk to anyone at the agency about questions regarding her furlough letter. He also mentioned an air traffic controller from Derry who just transferred and is worried she may not get back pay because she was furloughed before starting at the new location. And he talked about an FAA worker from Hampton forced to take unpaid leave to look after his wife, who’s going through a health emergency.

Pappas supports bills to re-open critical agencies and narrow the scope of the shutdown.