The Duckworth Diary - September 27, 2013

Dear Neighbors,

Right now in Congress there is a partisan debate going on over the Federal budget. The debate has become so hostile that there is a possibility of a government shutdown on September 30, the end of the fiscal year.

If there is a shutdown, agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Transportation Security Administration will be unable to function. These agencies are supposed to keep us safe, by providing services like food safety and airport security. Small Businesses and Veterans who now have the opportunity to secure government loans will not be able to do so while the government is shutdown. Numerous economic experts believe that a government shutdown will create uncertainty in our economy and hurt our economic recovery. But you don’t have to be an economic expert to know that’s the last thing we need right now.

There are very serious issues being debated over the budget, but that does not mean that we can’t sit down together and find a solution.

I just completed my 22nd year in the Army. I’ve never faced a challenge during my service when I’ve responded by saying I’m giving up. That’s not the way we do things, that’s not the way Americans deal with the problems we face. Congress needs to responsibly manage government spending.

Our economy has already taken a hit with sequester cuts that took place earlier this year. This across the board cut has indiscriminately cut services from programs like Head Start to furloughing military technicians at our Nation Guard armories. I’ve met with administrators, teachers and parents around my district who know that the sequester cuts are endangering the education we provide to our children. 70,000 children could lose access to the Head Start Program. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the sequester will cost our economy 1.6 million jobs.

We can reduce our deficit without slashing our investments in education, transportation, and development and research that will make us economically competitive in the future. Americans recognize that we can solve our problems by working together. A government shutdown is not the American way.

I hope to hear from you about your thoughts and suggestions on this important issue.

Sincerely, 

Congresswoman Duckworth