Velazquez on Agreement to End Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding an agreement to end the Republicans' shutdown of the federal government and to raise the federal debt ceiling:
"While this agreement is far from perfect, it is vitally important and long overdue. The 16-day Republican shutdown has harmed working families in New York and throughout the nation. Every day that the government has been shuttered, children have been turned away from Head Start educational services. Mothers with infants have been denied important nutritional assistance through the Women, Infants and Children initiative. Small businesses have seen a significant drop in demand for their services, harming local economies. In New York alone, 50,000 federal workers were furloughed. Ending this unacceptable state of affairs was critical.
"Importantly, this agreement also raises the ceiling on the U.S. federal debt, preventing the catastrophic implications of a default. Such a scenario would have inflicted havoc on capital markets and potentially triggered another great recession.
"It is unfortunate that we will continue to operate with the temporary cuts from the sequester, which is already depriving low income families, seniors and other vulnerable Americans of important services. Going forward, I will continue working to see that funding restored. However, it is critical for New Yorkers that today's agreement reopening the government and preventing a default be passed. I intend to support it."
CONTACT: Alex Haurek, (202) 225-2361
SOURCE Representative Nydia M. Velazquez
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