Takai Urges Colleagues to Pass bill to Fund Government
Statement
Today, Congressman Mark Takai (HI-01) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives on the need to come together to pass legislation to fund government, so that other critical issues can be addressed.
"A federal government shutdown, similar to the 2013 shutdown, will be catastrophic for Hawaii and the nation," Takai said.
This Wednesday, September 30, is the end of the federal fiscal year. Without a budget or at least a temporary budget extension, the federal government will need to shut down.
"I think many of us here on Capitol Hill heard all the buzz when former Daily Show Host Jon Stewart came into town. But what I hope was not lost in all the excitement, was his reason for coming. He came to deliver a message to Congress to pass the reauthorization of the James Zadroga 9/11 First Responders Act, of which I am a proud-cosponsor. It expires at the end of this month," Takai said.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1786, is currently being held up by budget talks. This bill would renew and make permanent the health and compensation programs that are currently serving thousands of injured and ill 9/11 First Responders.
"Instead of working to subsidize the health care of our courageous first responders, Congress is fixated on creating another manufactured crisis. Instead of providing a firefighter burned so badly saving a victim of the attack on the Twin Towers, or a police officer suffering from lung cancer because of exposure to toxic chemicals free healthcare and thanking them for their heroic sacrifices, Congress again, took no action," Takai added.
If Congress fails to act, funding for healthcare programs for 9/11 First Responders will expire on September 30, 2015. During his floor speech, Takai called for greater unity and for Members of Congress to refocus themselves on the Americans they were elected to serve.
"I truly hope my colleagues recognize the gravity of the situation and come together to get back to conducting the business of the nation," Takai said.
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