Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following
statement in response to the Republican continuing resolution that delays the
Affordable Care Act and moves the government closer to shutdown:
"I find it indefensible that House Republicans have
brought us one step closer to a government shutdown over yet another attempt to
delay health reform. Instead of allowing a vote on a funding bill that has
already passed the Senate and is ready to be signed by the President,
Republicans are holding the budget hostage over a policy fight that has already
been settled. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and this
dangerous political gambit will shut down the government, impact hundreds of
thousands of federal employees across the country and threaten basic government
services on which millions of Americans rely.
“In Rhode Island, this will result in thousands of
federal employees being immediately and indefinitely furloughed. Loan
guarantees for small businesses and homebuyers will be halted, as will vital
research into life threatening diseases. Services for our veterans could also
be interrupted and tax returns will be delayed. All of this will not only
disrupt the lives of hard working Americans, but it will have serious economic
consequences.
“Although I’m relieved that we could at least agree to
sustain pay for our military servicemembers, the same could be accomplished by
avoiding a shutdown altogether. I urge my colleagues to stop these reckless
political games and join in a bipartisan effort to immediately advance a
funding bill to prevent another self-imposed crisis.”