Brown Statement on Government Shutdown

Statement

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) released the following statement after the Republican-led Congress failed to pass legislation funding the federal government

"At midnight, Republicans in Congress chose to shutdown the federal government. This is the first time in our nation's history that this has happened with a single party controlling the White House and Congress. Republicans refused to work with Democrats to meet the urgent needs of the American people and shutdown the government. There was bipartisan agreement for increasing funding for national security and domestic priorities, reauthorizing children's health insurance and community health centers, providing additional disaster relief, and permanently protecting DREAMers. These issues are not going away, but Republicans preferred to continue this dysfunctional cycle of dithering and delay. Stumbling from crisis to crisis is no way to run the government.

"Even though government operations related to national security and public safety will go on, there will be grave ramifications to a prolonged shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of workers will be furloughed without pay and vital services that children, seniors and veterans, small businesses and our economy depend will be crippled. Maryland families will suffer more than most.

"We're better than this. Republicans need to govern responsibly and pass a bipartisan spending bill. Let's get to work."

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