WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced Friday that if the federal government shuts down because of an inability to reach a budget agreement, his job fair scheduled for Monday will continue as planned.
“If the government shuts down and my staff is unable to work at the job fair as planned,” Senator Coons said, “volunteers from the Delaware Department of Labor and the Delaware Economic Development Office will staff the event. I’m grateful to Governor Markell, Secretary McMahon, and Director Levin, who have stepped up to make sure Delawareans looking for work will still be able to meet with the more than 50 employers confirmed to attend.”
Federal law prohibits Senate staff from doing work during a shutdown that doesn’t relate to the Senator’s core legislative responsibilities, making Senator Coons’ excepted staff unable to assist job seekers at the job fair. Excepted and non-excepted staff would also be prevented from volunteering. Instead, employees from the Department of Labor and Delaware Economic Development Office will fill in to make sure Delawareans in attendance get the help they need.
“This is just another example of what makes Delaware such a special place,” Senator Coons said. “We’re a team. The support shown by our friends in state government and the dozens of individuals and organizations that have called our office offering to volunteer has been amazing.”
A federal government shutdown would also prohibit the 16 federal agencies planning to send recruiters to the fair from participating. In that event, 16 additional private-sector employers are lined up to take their place.
The job fair, which now has more than 50 confirmed employers scheduled to participate, will be held Monday, April 11th, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Job seekers need not pre-register in order to attend, but are encouraged to bring their resumes.