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Rep. Shuler continues working to avoid federal government shutdown
Story Date: 4/8/2011
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Source: Press Release, 4/7/11
U.S. Representative Heath Shuler continued working tirelessly to avoid a shutdown of the federal government today by supporting a one-week Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund federal government operations through April 15th and the Department of Defense through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The CR would also reduce federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year by nearly $12 billion.
“While I am disappointed that Republican and Democratic leaders have again failed to compromise and find common ground to fund the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011, I cannot in good conscience allow a shutdown of our federal government,” said Shuler. “These short-term CRs are not good for our country, but a complete shutdown of the federal government is unacceptable. Therefore, I supported this bill.”
The CR passed the House 247-181, but is not expected to pass the Senate. The President, who had previously stated that he would not sign another short-term CR, has issued a veto threat.
“The time has come for leaders in both parties to put down their partisan and ideological talking points and move our country forward,” Shuler continued. “But since a few Members of Congress seem to be willing to negatively affect millions of Americans by allowing the government to shutdown, I have introduced a bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from being paid during any shutdown.”
Shuler’s bill, H.R. 1305, states that if there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for federal agencies or departments, Members of Congress and the President shall not receive pay for the duration of any shutdown. Additionally, no pay forfeited due to a governmental shutdown could be given retroactively.
“The American people have hired us all to do the job of governing this country. If we are not doing our job, we shouldn’t be paid. It’s that simple and a government shutdown means we are not doing our job,” Shuler concluded.
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