By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is pressing the state’s U.S. Senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, to support measures to reopen the federal government, saying the ongoing shutdown is causing widespread harm to residents and the state’s economy.
Petersen criticized the two Democratic senators for what he described as “playing politics” and siding with “the left fringe” instead of joining a bipartisan coalition to keep the government funded. According to Petersen, both Kelly and Gallego opposed a stopgap spending bill that would have temporarily extended funding and avoided a lapse in government operations.
“This shutdown is not about helping Arizonans — it’s about defending unpopular priorities,” Petersen said. “Kelly and Gallego need to stop bowing to the radical left, put Arizona families first, and vote to reopen the government immediately.”
The shutdown, now stretching into its second week, has left thousands of Arizona residents facing financial uncertainty. State Republicans estimate that Arizona’s gross state product is losing about $296 million per week due to the disruption. Other reported impacts include:
- Roughly 58,000 federal employees in Arizona either furloughed or working without pay.
- Delayed Social Security benefits for seniors and others relying on timely checks.
- Frozen loan distributions from the Small Business Administration.
- Closures of national parks, including the Grand Canyon, straining tourism-dependent communities.
Petersen also warned that the shutdown is hitting families, small businesses, and retirees especially hard, compounding an already challenging economic environment. For now, Petersen said he will continue to urge Arizona’s federal delegation to prioritize ending the impasse. “This is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Real people are hurting, and every day the shutdown continues, that harm grows deeper,” he said.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
