Bonamici Statement on Government Shutdown

Statement

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) today released the following statement regarding the shutdown of the federal government.

"Today the House leadership forced a government shutdown in an attempt to block or delay implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I am deeply disappointed. It is a reckless path that will hurt our economy and cast a shadow of instability and uncertainty over the country.

"The House has voted on legislation to repeal or defund the ACA more than 40 times, and they have failed each time to accomplish their goal. This obsession with defunding the ACA has taken time that should have been spent on important legislative priorities like immigration reform and job creation. Congress has a number of pressing responsibilities that require our attention, including growing the economy, strengthening education, and maintaining the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. This shutdown puts these issues on the back burner and risks undermining the economic stability of the country. Our constituents do not deserve this type of policy making.

"The ACA expands access to health care and will help curtail the rising costs of health care in America. Among other benefits, it prevents those with pre-existing medical conditions from being denied health insurance. It was enacted into law and upheld by the Supreme Court. Funding for implementation of the healthcare law has already been committed and insurance exchanges will open all over the country regardless of a government shutdown. It is fundamentally undemocratic for a handful of obstructionists to harm the country's social and economic well-being because a vote didn't go their way. The American people deserve better.

"With a government shutdown, essential services that protect health and safety will be maintained, including veterans' services and payment for Social Security and Medicare benefits. But up to one million federal workers will be furloughed and a number of government services will be delayed or stopped altogether, including federal food assistance, some medical research programs, and national parks, monuments, and museums.

"While in D.C. I will continue to work for a bipartisan solution to reinstate full government services, but I will not play politics with issues of great importance to our economy and millions of Americans."

Source