Politics & Government

Tsongas Frustrated With Republican Views on Pending Government Shutdown

Chelmsford's member of Congress released a statement saying that a lack of action on funding for the federal government after Oct. 1 will cause economic problems and has been hampered by Republicans.

There has been plenty of tension recently in Washington as Congress faces a potential shutdown of the federal government as well as a showdown on the federal government’s debt ceiling.

Much has been said on both sides of the aisle, with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell) voicing her rage at Republicans for what she sees the insertion of partisan politics into the continuing resolution for new government funding, which will expire on Monday, Sept. 30.

Tsongas voted against Republican versions of the continuing resolution and chastised Republicans for not addressing a Senate version of the bill, which removes language placed by House Republicans that would eliminate funding for the Affordable Care Act in exchange for avoiding a government shutdown.

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“Instead of working across the aisle to end the harmful sequester cuts, implement and fine-tune the Affordable Care Act, and responsibly reduce the deficit in a balanced way, the House voted on a bill that ignores the dangerous impacts of blind, across-the-board cuts and undercuts the health and wellbeing of the American people,” said Tsongas.

The congresswoman stated that she believes there is room for targeted spending cuts and new revenue sources, but indicated that the lack of action on the continuing resolution will put hundreds of thousands of federal employees out of work and also impact the lives of millions more while “hitting the pause button” on U.S economic growth. 

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