Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House and Senate leaders to immediately come back into session to find a way forward to avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate are currently scheduled to come back into session only hours before the shutdown deadline.
"At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown," Loebsack wrote to Congressional leaders. "I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law. I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people."
The full text of the letter follows.
September 29, 2013
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
US Senate
S-221, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner:
With less than 48 hours until the government shuts down without bipartisan action by the House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Administration, both Chambers should be in session and working today and through the Monday night deadline. The brinksmanship, political posturing, and partisan ideology that have gotten us to this point cannot continue. There is no excuse for ongoing political games or inaction - Congress and the Administration must come together and take the simple steps necessary to keep the government running. Ongoing partisan posturing by those hoping to score political points on the back of our economy is not just inexcusable, it`s reckless and it must end.
As our country faces down yet another manufactured crisis, both sides of the aisle must put politics aside and come together to take action. Our economy and Iowa families cannot afford more brinksmanship and the effects of a government shutdown would have ripple effects across the economy and the brunt of the impact would be felt by middle-class families such as those at Rock Island Arsenal who could go without pay, our troops who would report for duty to protect our country but see their pay delayed, and small businesses that would be unable to expand without the loans they need to create jobs.
At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown and federal agencies are spending taxpayer dollars preparing for a government shutdown instead of carrying out the work of the American people. This situation is inexcusable.
I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law. We have reached the eleventh hour and there is no time for more political posturing or for both Chambers of Congress to be waiting at home for the other side to blink.
I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people.
Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
Iowa`s Second District
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