Every member of Congress ought to be ashamed for the failure to keep our federal government fully functional. It is Congress’ job to provide a budget for the president to sign. The law says it should be done by Sept. 30 so the new fiscal year can start on Oct. 1. Why can Congress not do its job?

45 years ago, in 1974, Congress changed the fiscal year from July 1 through June 30 to Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, effective Oct. 1977. Perhaps Congress should again change the fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year. That would give them three more months to work out the budget and actually present something to the president.

Right now the Democrats blame the president for the lack of an approved budget, but Congress has not even presented a bill to the president to veto or to approve and sign. It is Congress’ fault that there is a partial government shutdown, not the president’s fault. Right now, it is the responsibility of the Democrat-controlled House or Representatives to get a budget together and get it to the Senate and then to the president. Last year and until Jan. 3 of this year, it was the Republican-controlled House’s responsibility. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have done their job properly and last year’s Congress members (Senators and Representatives) went on holiday vacations rather than work together to solve the problems.

All of us need to tell both our Senators and our Representative that we are upset with them and with their shameful actions.

This is so stupid. We elect our Representatives and Senators to do what is right for the U.S. and for the State of Arizona. Our appointed Senator was appointed for the same reason. Express your opinion to Congress.