REP. MIKE THOMPSON VOTES AGAINST MOVING TOWARDS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, DELAYING PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
September 30, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) voted today for the third time against government funding legislation that attempts to defund or delay all or part of the Affordable Care Act, and moves the federal government closer to a shutdown. The Senate is expected to again reject the House's latest attempt to undermine the health care law, and the President will veto any such legislation. A government funding resolution must be passed by Congress and signed by the President by midnight or the government will shutdown.
“Enough is enough. For a third time now, the House Majority has moved to shutdown the government by passing extreme, Tea Party driven legislation that stands no chance of being passed by the Senate or signed by the President.
“With hours left before a shutdown, the House had an opportunity to act responsibly and pass the Senate's bill that keeps the government running and protects health care reform. Instead, they once again passed legislation that undermines health care reform and all but ensures a dangerous government shutdown that will damage our economy, put people out of work, deny affordable health care to millions of Americans, risk cutting off benefits to seniors and veterans, and could cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
“Shutting down the government at midnight because Democrats want to make sure folks can afford health insurance is reckless and irresponsible. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, I have said that I am open to making improvements to the law. But instead of working with Democrats to improve the law, the House Majority is attempting to sabotage the law through the threat of a government shutdown. This is a dereliction of duty and a total disregard for responsible governance. It's time for the House Majority to put the interests of our nation ahead of the interest of the Tea Party and join with Democrats to keep the government open.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“Enough is enough. For a third time now, the House Majority has moved to shutdown the government by passing extreme, Tea Party driven legislation that stands no chance of being passed by the Senate or signed by the President.
“With hours left before a shutdown, the House had an opportunity to act responsibly and pass the Senate's bill that keeps the government running and protects health care reform. Instead, they once again passed legislation that undermines health care reform and all but ensures a dangerous government shutdown that will damage our economy, put people out of work, deny affordable health care to millions of Americans, risk cutting off benefits to seniors and veterans, and could cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
“Shutting down the government at midnight because Democrats want to make sure folks can afford health insurance is reckless and irresponsible. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, I have said that I am open to making improvements to the law. But instead of working with Democrats to improve the law, the House Majority is attempting to sabotage the law through the threat of a government shutdown. This is a dereliction of duty and a total disregard for responsible governance. It's time for the House Majority to put the interests of our nation ahead of the interest of the Tea Party and join with Democrats to keep the government open.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
# # #