Letter To The Editor: Use Arbitration To Solve Shutdown

President Trump and the Democrats in the Congress are at an impasse over the wall. We are on week four. Meanwhile, thousands of federal employees are suffering without paychecks. American citizens are not getting the services we need from the federal government. Our airports are experiencing problems — and security screeners are not showing up at some airports. Some believe that the shutdown has hamstrung both the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security. And people around the world can't believe that our government is so dysfunctional.

To break the impasse I suggest that the president and members of Congress agree to an arbitration panel. The arbitration panel should consist of the former presidents of the United States: Presidents Obama, Clinton, Bush and Carter. Each of these Presidents dealt with the immigration issue and some of the former presidents even built walls near some of the borders. They were tough at times but also compassionate. I think they could come up with recommendations that the majority of Americans and officials would support. And, I think they would be open-minded.

The panel of presidents should propose to Congress a new immigration policy that will be comprehensive and fair. The government should re-open while the panel deliberates and members of Congress and the president should commit to allowing a vote on the panel's recommendations at the conclusion of the process.

The American people want a government that works. No one wins when Congress and the resident only fight and get nothing accomplished.

— Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Get Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow Patch’s daily newsletters and news alerts right in your inbox. Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

Patch graphic.