Prevention is Best Cure to Shutdown Disease, Labor Leader Tells Congress

Former VA nurse turned union president urges lawmakers to avert government shutdown

News provided by

American Federation of Government Employees

Sep 28, 2015, 07:37 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a former registered nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. knows a thing or two about staying healthy.

With just three days to go until the federal government shuts down, President Cox is offering some free medical advice to members of Congress.

"Shutting down the government is beyond unacceptable. It's completely avoidable and a shameful waste of taxpayer dollars," says American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. Congress has three days to pass a budget and keep the federal government open. Up to a million federal and D.C. government employees could find themselves locked out of their jobs if Congress does not pass a budget to keep the government running past Sept. 30, when the current fiscal year ends.

"Doctors will tell you that the best cure for any disease is prevention. This shutdown is a disease that is threatening to infect the American people. But it's entirely preventable. All Congress needs to do is pass a budget to keep the government open," Cox said.

Up to a million federal and D.C. government employees could find themselves locked out of their jobs if Congress does not pass a budget to keep the government running past Sept. 30, when the current fiscal year ends.

If Congress fails to act, most government offices and worksites will close starting Oct. 1. Only employees deemed essential will be allowed to go to work.

"Many critical functions that the government performs will simply not continue during a shutdown," Cox said. "The VA won't be able to process veteran benefit claims. Social Security won't be issuing new ID cards. Research agencies like the NIH, CDC and National Science Foundation won't be able to continue their life-saving scientific studies. Federal inspections of food, water, workplaces, and hazardous waste sites will stop. The list goes on and on and on."

The economic toll of a government shutdown stretches beyond the federal government and into communities across the country. The last shutdown in 2013 cost taxpayers $24 billion.

"Shutting down the government is beyond unacceptable. It's completely avoidable and a shameful waste of taxpayer dollars," Cox said. "Congress must act today to avert the shutdown."

For more information, visit www.afge.org/shutdown.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

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SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees