Norton to Keep Her Office Open if Federal Government Shuts Down

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that if the federal government shuts down tomorrow, she will keep her office open through the duration of the shutdown by designating her entire staff as "essential."

"I got the provision in last year's appropriations bill that will keep the District of Columbia government open if the federal government shuts down," Norton said. "Our office, of course, will follow suit. We must not let the failure of Congress to do its work keep us from doing ours. The critical work of our office does not recognize shutdowns. I will also be pressing for full pay for all federal employees and low-wage federal contract workers caught in this crisis, through no fault of their own."