U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is stepping up his calls to end the one-month government shutdown, leading a letter from Florida Republicans urging Senate Democratic leaders to approve a House-passed spending plan and reopen the government.

The Longboat Key Republican, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, accused Senate Democrats of blocking a “clean continuing resolution” that would pay federal workers, restore food assistance and restart key health programs.

The letter, signed by 17 other members of Florida’s GOP delegation, blames Democrats for “holding government funding hostage” in pursuit of what they call a “reckless $1.5 trillion partisan spending package.”

“Floridians and Americans deserve a government that puts them above politics,” the lawmakers wrote.

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