As the federal government shutdown lingers on, more attention is being paid to the toll it takes on federal CRM projects and the firms that work on them. Last week we featured a great piece from Forbes that explores the impact the shutdown has had on vital cultural resources across the country, and we heard from many of you about how you have been affected by the shutdown.

We heard how everyone from students to firms owners in the CRM industry have lost wages, postponed projects, and even seen cultural sites destroyed. CRM professionals need to let legislators know that the shutdown affects more than just those that are directly on the federal payroll.

Now ACRA has made it easier for you to tell your shutdown story to those that represent you in DC. Simply use the script below to call your Senators to make sure your voice is heard in Washington.

• If your Senator is a Democrat:
  
  
  Hello! My name is ___ and I’m calling from (part of state). I’m calling to ask [Senator] to oppose any legislation in the Senate until the government is reopened.
  
  The Senate—including [Senator]—unanimously passed a clean budget that would keep the government open until February. There are 800,000 federal workers going without pay. National parks are filling up with trash. [Insert personal story] This is unacceptable; [Senator] needs to oppose any legislation in the Senate until the government is reopened.
  
  Will [Senator] commit to voting “no” on all legislation until the government has reopened?
  
  

• If your Senator is a Republican:
  
  Hello! My name is ___ and I’m calling from (part of state). I’m calling to ask [Senator] reopen the government by passing the clean funding bills that passed in the House on January 3.
  
  The Senate unanimously passed a clean budget that would keep the government open until February, but now Senator McConnell refuses to allow a vote on that same legislation because Democrats have retaken control of the House. The shutdown is personally affecting [me/my business — insert personal story].
  
  Will [Senator] commit to passing the House funding bills that would reopen our government instead holding our government hostage over the border wall?