Americans paying the price
Rep. Tom Cole
By U.S. Rep. Tom Cole
R-Oklahoma
Last week, and every day since, Senate Democrats have vote to irresponsibly shut down the United States government – and the American people are paying the price.
The impact of this is real. A government shutdown means pain, risked livelihoods, and throwing the entire nation into chaos and uncertainty. It means the paychecks of some of our nation’s finest, like our military men and women, law enforcement, border patrol, and FAA employees, are halted. During the middle of hurricane season, it jeopardizes flood insurance.
It cuts off nutrition support for low-income mothers and children in need. It furloughs and risks the jobs of federal employees throughout Oklahoma at Tinker Air Force Base, Fort Sill Army Installation, the FAA training center, Kerr Water Labs, the National Weather Center, and so much more.
It threatens healthcare services, as federal health agencies are limited and the funding needed to process grants that support rural hospitals cannot be processed. It delays vital services for veterans, who we owe so much to. It jeopardizes our energy dominance and our national security.
These are not hypothetical consequences. These are very real, and every day families will bear the burden.
I authored the clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution that Democrats rejected and continue to reject day after day. It keeps the government open and working for the American people. Moreover, as the author, I can guarantee you I know exactly what is in the legislation: no partisan provisions, no poison pills, no political gimmicks. It really is just a short-term, responsible extension of government funding.
My House Republican colleagues and I got our job done by passing my continuing resolution. Yet, my Democrat friends on the other side of the Rotunda continue to abandon the most basic duty of public service: keeping the government working for the people.
So, today, as I have every day and every year, I encourage them to put the American people first and join us in voting to keep the government open.