Costello Leads Letter Opposed to Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) joined Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) in leading a letter to fellow Members of Congress voicing opposition to a government shutdown. By September 30, Congress and the President must agree on an approach to keep the federal government funded through the end of the current fiscal year. 

This letter, signed in total by 11 freshman Republican Members of Congress, expresses opposition to a politically motivated government shutdown and highlights the extensive cost to the economy, stalled job creation, and a lag in essential government services. The 11 newly-elected members are committed to stopping any possible shutdown, and to fulfilling their responsibility of principled, pragmatic leadership.

Recalling the 2013 shutdown, Costello urged his colleagues to not repeat past mistakes, “In 2013, as a Chester County Commissioner, I was frustrated that the federal government unnecessarily shut down for 16 days. I remember that frustration all-too-well, especially as I hear some of my colleagues talk about a government shutdown as a realistic and possible option.”

Costello continued, “I came to Congress because I wanted to work to keep our country and economy moving forward. That is why I will not use the threat of a government shutdown to fight political battles. Anything that keeps Americans out of work, threatens to delay necessary benefits for our veterans, and weakens our economy is not a valuable negotiating tool.”

Members signing the letter include: Ryan Costello, Elise Stefanik, Mimi Walters, Daniel Donovan, John Katko, Amata Radewagen, Cresent Hardy, Bruce Poliquin, Martha McSally, and Tom MacArthur. The letter reads as follows:   

 

Dear Colleague:

 

With less than two weeks until the September 30 deadline to fund federal government operations, we are writing today to express our strong support for a funding resolution that will avoid another unnecessary and harmful government shutdown.  We believe Congress should complete its work and provide funding for the federal government through September 30, 2016, but we are willing to support a short-term resolution that will give both the House and the Senate the additional time necessary to negotiate final spending numbers.

 

As freshman Members of the House Republican Conference, we were elected by our constituents to be principled, pragmatic leaders.  They expect us to fulfill our responsibilities, avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, and live up to our commitment to work every day to help keep the American economy moving forward.

 

The sixteen-day government shutdown in 2013 cost our economy an estimated $24 billion and stalled the creation of over 100,000 private sector jobs.  It also imposed unacceptable delays in life-saving NIH research studies and payment of veterans’ disability claims, cost over $500 million in lost revenue at our national parks, and shut thousands of children out of Head Start programs.  In short, the shutdown not only hurt taxpayers with the loss of important government services — it actually cost more taxpayer money to close the federal government than to keep it open.

 

We are living in challenging times that require serious, thoughtful leadership.  We are proud of the many accomplishments that House Republicans have achieved this year, including passage of the first real entitlement reform in two decades, measures to strengthen veterans’ health care, new efforts to combat human trafficking, and legislation to accelerate the discovery and delivery of life-saving medical innovations.  These legislative achievements will make a real difference in the lives of all Americans.  We need to build on that record by passing fiscally responsible spending bills that will cut wasteful spending, rein in our debt, and reform government.  

               

We stand together in the effort to keep the government funded beyond September 30 as we continue the fight to pass responsible spending bills that put the taxpayers first.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ryan Costello                                                                                   

Member of Congress                                                                    

 

Elise Stefanik  

Member of Congress

 

Mimi Walters                                                                                   

Member of Congress                                                                    

 

Daniel Donovan

Member of Congress

 

John Katko                                                                                         

Member of Congress                                                                    

 

Carlos Curbelo

Member of Congress

 

Amata Radewagen                                                                         

Member of Congress                                                                    

 

Cresent Hardy

Member of Congress

 

Bruce Poliquin                                                                                 

Member of Congress

 

Martha McSally

Member of Congress                                                                    

               

Tom MacArthur                                                                                               

Member of Congress  

   

You can also view a PDF of the signed letter here.

 

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