Huffman Statement on Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives failed to pass a bill to fund the government, resulting in a shutdown of the U.S. government:
“Last night House Republicans failed to fulfill one of Congress’ most basic obligations. Rather than working with Democrats on bipartisan, commonsense legislation to fund the government, Republicans tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act again and again as the clock expired.
“I am committed to resolving this impasse. Although the effects of the sequester have been horrible for families and the economy, I would even be willing to accept sequester-level funding for a limited period. These are painful cuts, but I’m willing to support them if that’s what is necessary to end this manufactured crisis and re-start negotiations on funding the government. I am also sitting down with my colleagues across the aisle through the Problem Solvers caucus in the hopes that we can find a bipartisan solution.
“I hope moderate Republicans will make it known that they are no longer willing to be led by Tea Party extremists. This is not just political theater. By attempting to deny affordable health care to millions of Americans, they have put hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work, and will deny services to many more.
“Despite the shutdown, today is the day that millions of Americans have access to affordable, quality health insurance for the first time. As of this morning, open enrollment in California’s health insurance exchange, Covered CA, has begun under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. We are not going to go back to the old days of abusive practices, where health insurers could drop you if got sick, cap your lifetime coverage, or deny coverage for any preexisting condition.”
A factsheet on the effects of the government shutdown may be found HERE.
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