House Republican Leadership is threatening to shut the government down despite the fact that both parties in Congress and President Biden already agreed to a deal on government spending levels for the coming year.
The decision of House Republicans to back out of
the deal they agreed to is jeopardizing services and pay for thousands of
working Rhode Islanders.
A government shutdown would
have devastating consequences for working Rhode Islanders, which includes:
- Forcing
Servicemembers and Law Enforcement Officers to Work Without Pay: All active-duty military personnel and many law
enforcement officers would be required to work without pay.
- Worsening
Social Security and Medicare Backlog for Seniors: Many Social Security workers would be
furloughed, causing significant delays in the processing of benefits.
- Denying
Food Assistance for Women and Children:
Some of the nearly 7 million women and children who count on WIC, including
nearly 18,000 in Rhode Island, would soon start being turned away at
grocery store counters with funds drying up to operate the program.
- Putting
Travelers’ Safety at Risk:
Air traffic controllers and TSA Officers would have to work without pay
which could lead to staffing shortages that threatens travelers’
safety.
- Endangering
Workers: The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) would be forced to limit workplace
inspections, putting worker safety at risk, and Americans who are owed
back pay for their hard work would face delays due to the majority of
Department of Labor investigations being suspended.
- Eliminating
Head Start Slots for Kids: 10,000
children across the country would immediately lose access to Head Start,
affecting early childhood development and the ability for parents to go to
work.
- Threatening
Food Safety: The Food and Drug
Administration could be forced to delay food safety inspections for a wide
variety of products all across the country.
- Impairing
Disaster Response: A
Republican shutdown would create an increased risk that FEMA’s Disaster Relief
Fund is depleted and would complicate new emergency response efforts if
additional catastrophic disasters occur.
- Undermining Public Health and Environmental Protections: Most EPA-led inspections at hazardous waste sites as well as drinking water and chemical facilities would stop. EPA would halt oversight and review of permits and plans to ensure safe drinking water and clean air in communities. Additionally, efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS—which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer—would be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites would slow or cease.
Rep. Magaziner stands ready to
work with anyone in order to keep the government open. House Republicans must
take immediate action and work with Democrats to stop an unnecessary shutdown.