Huffman Statement on House GOP Vote to Virtually Guarantee a Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON­—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) made the following statement after House Republicans passed a bill that would virtually guarantee a government shutdown:

“Tonight, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives set in motion a shutdown of our nation’s government. Their latest amendments are pure political theater: an attack on women’s health that would potentially take away health services for millions of women and a tired repeat of their partisan ultimatum to block government funding unless the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

This marks their 43^rd failed attempt to repeal the healthcare reform law that was enacted by Congress, affirmed by the Supreme Court, and reaffirmed when President Obama was reelected after campaigning on this law as his signature accomplishment. But ironically, even as the damage of a government shutdown is inflicted on American families and the American economy, the Affordable Care Act's protections will remain in effect and tens of millions of Americans will start signing up for insurance under the law’s health exchanges starting next week. This shutdown would not only be irresponsible, but pointless.

As someone who came to Congress to solve problems and get things done, I’m dismayed that Speaker Boehner and the House GOP leadership have refused to allow a vote on a simple, temporary extension of government funding to avoid a shutdown – something that would pass with overwhelming bipartisan support. Instead, they are caving in to the Tea Party fringe of their caucus and shutting down the government. I have no doubt that more reasonable minds in the Republican caucus will eventually change course, work with Democrats, and enact responsible legislation to fund the government. The only question is how much the American people and our economy will have to suffer before they come to their senses.

Americans expect their government to serve them, not lurch from one manufactured crisis to another. I will keep trying to work with responsible members on both sides of the aisle to find common sense, reasonable solutions to our nation’s problems, despite tonight’s unfortunate actions by the GOP majority.”

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