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Rep. Napolitano: "We Must Open the Government Immediately"

October 16, 2013

(Washington, DC) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) released the following statement:

“We in Congress must open the government immediately and avoid further threats by the potential of defaulting on our national debt. Since October 1st, I have voted 15 times to reopen the government, pay our bills, and put people back to work. This unnecessary crisis, which is creating a lot of stress for everybody, is hurting the nation as well as our 32nd District. Already due to the shutdown, cancer patients have not received treatment, foodborne illnesses might have spread, small businesses have not received contracts or loans, and families have seen their budgets shrink. Defaulting on our debt will suspend the delivery of critical government services, such as no social security checks issued, veterans disability compensation not paid, and an increase in mortgage interest and student loan rates.”

“Since I entered Congress in 1999, I have voted 80 times to keep our government open, and I will continue to vote to keep our government open while working with our leadership to iron out our disagreements. It is critical that we end the uncertainty surrounding the one- shutdown, and secondly, the debt ceiling in order to restore the confidence of Americans in their government and prevent further harm to those that are impacted the most. I am very hopeful that both parties in Congress and the President will come together to open our government and raise the debt limit soon.”

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Issues:Economy