WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger released the following statement after joining a bipartisan group of her colleagues today at a meeting with President Trump at the White House to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and its harmful effects on federal employees in Central Virginia and across the country.

“My first duty as a U.S. Representative is to be the voice for Central Virginians, and that is why I accepted the President’s invitation to meet. Today, I went to the White House with my colleagues to discuss the shutdown and its impact on those I represent, and to impress upon the White House the importance of reopening the government. As a former federal employee, I know the hardships our public servants face as they work without pay or are furloughed—and as a former CIA officer, I know the challenges facing our federal agencies as they work to protect our communities, airways, and borders during a government shutdown. It is critical that we restore the proper functioning of government, and I will join any conversation that may make that possible.”

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