A sign reading "The U.S. Capitol Visiting Center is closed due to a lapse in appropriations" is displayed at the entrance of the U.S. Capitol Visiting Center. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The letter urged lawmakers to reopen the government while pointing to a handful of examples of how Americans are suffering due to the shutdown, including small business owners losing out on billions in funding.
"According to the (Small Business Administration), 4,800 small businesses have been blocked from receiving $2.5 billion in capital since the start of the shutdown," the groups warned. "Every day the shutdown continues means another 320 small businesses will not have access to the SBA-backed commercial loans these businesses were counting on for expansion and growth. Hundreds of thousands of workers are impacted by the suspension through furloughs, reduced jobs and wages, along with missed opportunities for local economies."
The Small Business Administration released data earlier in October showing 320 small business owners have lost $170 million in funding each day due to the shutdown, which has resulted in at least $2.5 billion in funding that cannot be delivered to business owners.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox Digital that the "Democrat shutdown" has caused "chaos" that is gripping business owners no matter the size of the company.
SHUTDOWN IGNITES STRATEGIST DEBATE: WILL TRUMP AND GOP PAY THE POLITICAL PRICE IN 2026?
A colation of six business groups urged Senate lawmakers to reopen the government while pointing to a handful of examples of how Americans are suffering due to the shutdown, including small business owners losing out on billions in funding. (Liao Pan/China News Service via Getty Images)
"With respect to the rising cost of health insurance premiums, small businesses have been the hardest hit by years of ever-increasing costs and diminishing choices. Premium tax credit expiration represents only a fraction of the reason why many small businesses are seeing hefty premium increases for next year. Lowering costs and increasing affordable choices will be resolved through comprehensive reforms that need to be addressed by Congress and state legislatures. Congress must commit to this important task as well," the letter stated.
"The effects of the shutdown will only grow wider with each passing day unless the Senate acts. Passing a clean CR is a smart, responsible, and bipartisan course of action. It will provide certainty for small business owners, employees and workers who are counting on actions from their elected officials that produce certainty and stability. We urge every Senator to support a clean CR that allows the appropriations process to move forward to ensure the federal government remains open and operational," the letter said.
The shutdown currently does not have an end in sight. Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are taking issue with Trump traveling to Asia this week to meet with foreign leaders.
"Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do — not a leader that flies away from responsibility at the time they need one most," Schumer said Friday.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, when asked about Schumer's remarks, told the media Monday that "President Trump has entrusted us to fix this because this is an Article I branch problem."
"The president tried his best, he brought them in before all this madness started, and Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries effectively told him to jump in the Potomac," Johnson said, CBS News reported. "So it's up to the Democrats, everybody knows that. The president said he'll meet with them on any issue under the sun. We're delighted to talk about it, but they have to get the government reopened first."
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/shutdown-crushes-small-business-owners-losses-hit-billions-industry-leaders-beg-congress-clean-cr