DeLauro Statement In Opposition To Republican Government Shutdown Bill

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement on the latest iteration of the plan for a Republican Government Shutdown:

"I am strongly opposed to this latest plan for a Republican Government Shutdown.  We are now only hours away from a shutdown of the federal government that will damage our economy and make life harder for millions of families, especially families living on the edge.

"If the Majority continues on this path, hundreds of thousands of workers will be sent home and many others will continue to work without pay. Anti-hunger and nutrition support to women, infants, and children will dry up. Home and small business lending will freeze.  Life-saving research will be put on hold.  Parks and museums will close.

"Instead of working with Democrats to move a budget forward and prevent all this other self-inflicted damage, the Majority's leadership is allowing the fringe ideologues in their party to turn the budget process into a hostage crisis. Kill the Affordable Care Act, they argue, or America gets it. This is not responsible leadership.

"The Majority knows exactly what they are doing. Two days ago, they put forward amendments they knew were poison pills, and now we see an equally poisonous amendment to the budget today. They are rooting for a shutdown. One Member even said: ‘We're very excited. It's exactly what we wanted, and we got it.' Another said: ‘It's wonderful.' It is not wonderful. It is terrible for our economy and for families.  This is hostage-taking and it cannot stand."