Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement after House Republicans adjourned for the week, setting the stage for a government shutdown next weekend.  The Senate rejected the politically-charged Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government, and the House left town without addressing the problem.  The Senate plans a vote on Monday evening to pass a CR, including disaster aid for flood victims, without any accompanying cuts. 

“The House must come back and work with the Senate to pass a bill which not only gives aid to disaster victims with no strings attached, but also manages to avoid a government shutdown.  This is yet another manufactured crisis by the Tea Party-led House majority.  They have no interest in leading or governing.  They are fueled by ideology, and as a result important issues facing our nation are suffering. 

“The Republicans keep talking about being responsible with the budget.  They claim to have provided FEMA aid in a responsible way.  I disagree, I say they are irresponsible.  To offset disaster relief by trading away middle class jobs – irresponsible.  Telling people who have lost everything that they need to pay their own way – irresponsible.  Threatening yet another government shutdown – irresponsible.  Allowing corporate loopholes to let big business not pay any taxes – irresponsible.

“Continued threats of shutdown cause the markets to waver and hinder our recovery.  2011 is three-quarters of the way finished and there has not been a single jobs bill to help people get back to work.  They haven’t made any effort to reform our education or immigration systems, both of which need attention.  Now we can add the unprecedented maneuver of tying offsets to deal with disaster assistance.  Real families in communities across several states – including my own constituents in the Bronx, Rockland and Westchester Counties – are suffering from damages caused by floods, hurricanes, tornados and other disasters.  These are families who have lost everything – their homes, their memories, and in some cases, their loved ones.  Instead of immediately scrambling to get the needed aid to them as quickly as possible, we are playing games with offsets.  The House took this opportunity to target “green” technology, and the jobs which come with it, and to score political points against President Obama.  This is a mean-spirited and failed strategy.

“I call on House leadership to remain in session until we solve this problem, and to introduce a version of the CR which continues to fund the government and provides money to disaster victims. I am certain a CR with no offsets would get overwhelming bipartisan support.  This is the responsible thing to do, and I remain hopeful that a sensible solution will be put forth to avert this manufactured crisis.”

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