As the federal government shutdown enters its 6th day, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen spoke with KTAR News about the impact on the state and called for congressional action to restore funding.
Warren Petersen estimates that the shutdown is costing Arizona $1.3 billion per month in lost productivity, or hundreds of millions of dollars per week. He noted that while federal workers eventually receive back pay once funding is restored, the broader economic losses to taxpayers are significant.
During the interview, Petersen also suggested Arizona should keep the Grand Canyon open during the shutdown and seek federal reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Current Challenges
Petersen explained that ending the shutdown requires 60 votes in the Senate to overcome procedural hurdles. Currently, a continuing resolution has the support of 55 senators across party lines, including Republicans, Democrats, and independents, but falls short of the votes needed to continue.
"A lot of people think, oh, the Republicans are in charge of three branches. Well, no, you need to hit a 60 vote threshold in the Senate to get this passed," Petersen clarified. "And right now, you have 55 votes. You have Republicans that have voted for this. You have Democrats that have voted for this. And you have independents that have voted for this."
Official Criticism
He then noted that Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have not supported the current funding resolution, reportedly seeking inclusion of federal health insurance subsidies.
He pointed to Democratic senators in similar states, including Pennsylvania's John Fetterman and Nevada's Catherine Cortez Masto, who voted in favor of the measure.
Petersen cited Arizona's voter registration figures: 1.43 million Republicans, 1.39 million independents, and 1.2 million Democrats, suggesting the state's political composition warrants different representation on the issue.
The shutdown has prompted serious concerns among House Republicans and Senate leadership, with lawmakers like Senate President Warren Petersen calling for increased oversight and accountability.
