Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after Republicans shutdown the federal government:

“We’ve known funding would expire at the end of Friday since we passed a Continuing Resolution just four weeks ago. And yet, congressional leaders failed once again to bring up bipartisan legislation that would keep the government funded,” DelBene said. “We also know from the last Republican shutdown that it dramatically harms our constituents and the economy. From crabbers and brewers to veterans and park rangers – a government shutdown effects nearly every aspect of our economy and harms all Americans. Republicans control every branch of government, and it is shameful that they refused to work in a bipartisan way to fund the basic government services American taxpayers expect.”

During the last government shutdown, the National Park Service and small businesses lost $500 million in visitor spending, crab fishermen lost thousands of dollars each day, 156 airplane deliveries were delayed costing $1.9 billion and 2 million liters of beer, wine and spirits were stuck at ports instead of exported. Federal agencies that help veterans, small business owners and seniors were also shutdown.

Congress needed to act by Jan. 19, after continuously kicking the can down the road instead of passing a budget and appropriations bills through regular order before the end of the fiscal year. The Republican-controlled Congress and White House failed to keep the federal government funded.

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