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More groups speak out about shutdown As the government shutdown heads into day two, more associations are urging both parties to work out their differences, and a few are spelling out to members what the closure means to them. Global Business Travel Association Executive Director Michael McCormick said the shutdown puts the business travel industry at risk, noting that travel spending had just returned to pre-recession levels this year.
Read MoreSeveral groups press forward with D.C. events despite government closures due to budget impasse The government may have shut down, lawmakers may have other things on their minds, but for associations that had planned member events in Washington, D.C., this week, there is no turning back. At least six associations had Capitol Hill fly-ins or other events scheduled for the first few days of October. No events were cancelled as of Tuesday afternoon, but at least one had a venue change.
Read MoreBusiness groups disappointed with government shutdown A large swath of the U.S. government officially shut down early Tuesday morning after Democrats and Republicans were unable to reach a budget deal—a development many associations were hoping to avoid. Few associations had issued statements in the lead-up or immediate aftermath of the shutdown. Instead, 251 business groups made their opinions known last week by joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in sending a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to keep the government open.
Read MoreAssociations urge Congress to avoid shutdown, default A total of 251 local, state and national business groups sent a letter to Congress Friday pleading with lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown and subsequent default, saying such a move could harm the nation's economy. In the letter, the organizations said they "fully appreciate the importance of restraining federal spending," but the U.S. government needs to continue to keep running amid the debate.
Read MoreReport: More companies disclosing association contributions A growing number of large American companies are opening up about their political contributions to groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, according to a report released Wednesday.
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