The seven members of Congress who represent the Washington region blasted President Donald Trump at press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday morning.

One by one, the federal lawmakers—all of them Democrats—took turns at the podium to share stories of financial hardships faced by federal workers and contractors. And they took aim at President Trump, launching unusually harsh criticisms about his role in the government impasse.

“The shutdown is a negative, stupid, uncalled for, unnecessary, people-affecting process,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

“We don’t need a demagogue,” added Rep. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.)

“It’s an absolutely scandalous situation,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). “President Trump has succeeded in doing what no foreign enemy of the United States has ever done—which is shutdown the federal government for several weeks.”

Other representatives condemned Trump’s Tuesday night speech from the Oval Office.

“One of the most sordid moments in U.S. history,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), referring to the prime-time address. Connolly said Trump used “racist, bigoted, xenophobic rhetoric” to justify his demands for a wall on the southern border.

The combative press conference on Capitol Hill highlights the growing anger over the shutdown in the D.C. region, where an estimated 20 percent of all federal workers live.

This week, federal workers affected by the shutdown will miss their first paychecks.

The House lawmakers from the D.C. region urged Republicans in the U.S. Senate to approve the spending bills needed to re-open the federal government. But that’s unlikely to happen unless President Trump changes his position on funding for a border wall.

This story originally appeared at WAMU.