See below for reactions to Glenn Youngkin’s comments earlier today (“I don’t believe that the federal government downsizing is wrong”; also, he wildly lied that Musk is finding massive amounts of waste/fraud, when in fact they’ve found essentially none, and that this is all about improving government efficiency, which in fact it’s about destroying the federal government). As the Virginia Senate Democrats put it:
“This isn’t just ‘workforce realignment’ or ’separating from an employer’, this is Elon Musk wreaking havoc in D.C., the President giving him free rein to fire qualified federal employees, and Governor Youngkin standing by in complete silence as his the lives of his constituents hang in the balance. Yet once again, Governor Youngkin is choosing political allegiance to the President over the people he was elected to serve.”
And as the Virginia Democrats say, “It’s sad that we have a Governor who cowers so low to Donald Trump that he won’t even use the terms ‘fired’ or ‘laid off’ in his press releases.” I’ll add more statements as I see them…
| Speaker Don Scott Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Response to Federal Job Losses: “Virginians Need a Leader, Not a Career Coach” |
| Richmond, VA – Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott issued the following statement in response to Governor Youngkin’s press conference, where he told thousands of federal workers and government contractors across Virginia that if they lose their jobs, they can turn to a website with resources to find employment in the private and public sectors.
Governor Youngkin’s website suggests alternative jobs for displaced government workers including: Janitors and Cleaners, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Pest Control Workers, Forklift Operators, Sales Associates/Personal Shoppers, Medical Surgical Registered Nurses, and more. “Virginians don’t need a website telling them how to update their resume—they need a leader who will stand up and fight for their livelihoods, their families, and their communities. Virginians need a leader, not a career coach. Veterans, public servants, and federal contractors across Virginia are facing real fear and uncertainty from the Musk-Trump firings. They’re wondering whether they’ll lose access to life-saving healthcare, how they’ll afford childcare, whether they can keep a roof over their heads, or even put food on the table. Governor Youngkin has it all wrong, he should be working to prevent this crisis, not telling hardworking Virginians to start over in careers that have nothing to do with their expertise.” “If the White House, Congress, and Governor Youngkin won’t step up to protect Virginians and their livelihoods, then we will. We will fight back against these reckless job losses, federal funding cuts, find the facts, and stand up for every Virginian who is being left behind.” |
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Responds to Governor Youngkin’s Failure to Defend Constiuents Amid Rising Federal Job Losses
RICHMOND, V.A. — Today, the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement in response to Governor Youngkin’s failure to stand up for Virginians as federal job losses continue to rise:
“While we appreciate Governor Youngkin and his team for compiling a list of state-funded resources for unemployment benefits, healthcare coverage, and job applications, his statement on federal job losses was nothing more than empty rhetoric lacking both transparency and accountability.
This isn’t just ‘workforce realignment’ or ’separating from an employer’, this is Elon Musk wreaking havoc in D.C., the President giving him free rein to fire qualified federal employees, and Governor Youngkin standing by in complete silence as his the lives of his constituents hang in the balance.
Yet once again, Governor Youngkin is choosing political allegiance to the President over the people he was elected to serve.
His refusal to fight for Virginians should speak volumes to us all.”
Abigail Spanberger: “The job of Virginia’s Governor is to always stand up for Virginians — even if that means standing up to your own party. Here’s my promise to Virginia’s workers: as your next Governor, I will always stand up for you.”
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