By Nikki Schwab
It's not exactly an "I'm so sorry," but a very large thank you card to federal workers is being passed around Capitol Hill this week for members of congress to sign. The card, the brainchild of Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, has about 15 signatures thus far, with hopes to attract many more. The Progressive Caucus is advertising the initiative by tweeting a photo of each member of congress signing the card. (So far it's only been Democrats.)
Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., offered his John Hancock to the large piece of cardboard, adorned with a picture of the Capitol Building. When Cohen personally tweeted about it, he continued using the hashtag "#GOPShutdown" -- a favorite of Democrats during the shutdown -- though organizers say the card isn't meant to taunt or place blame on Republicans. (Though the Progressive Caucus has used the "#GOPShutdown" hashtag too.)
"I would hesitate to call it a political statement," says Brad Bauman, executive director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "This is a general statement of support to federal employees who rarely get thanks for the hard work that they actually do for this country."
Signatures will be gathered this week and again when the House resumes session in November. When finished, a PDF of the messages will be put online and the card will have a permanent home, but the location has yet to be decided.
