Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is Opposed to Government Shutdown Set for Tonight

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,533)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) Maine, has set up a web page to help explain the potential impacts on Maine of a potential government shutdown which is looking more and more likely as the clock ticks closer to midnight.  The web page can be accessed through Pingree’s site at www.pingree.house.gov.

In a message on the web page, Pingree wrote:

Over the weekend, House Republicans refused to give up on their efforts to eliminate or undermine the Afffordable Care Act, even if it means shutting down the federal government.  That makes the possibility that we will face a government shutdown at midnight tonight (September 30) more likely than ever.

A government shutdown is unnecessary, would be a drag on our economy and will affect millions of Americans.  Some of the effects will be visible here in Maine; Acadia National Park may shut down at the peak of the fall foliage season.  Others will be harder to see but have a real impact.  For example, the Small Business Administration will stop making loans that help Maine businesses start up and grow.

Congresswoman Pingree again today called on her Republican colleagues to put extreme partisanship aside and keep the government from shutting down at midnight.

“I know the Tea Party Republicans hate the Affordable Care Act- they’ve made that perfectly clear.  But the truth is the American public doesn’t want to see the government shut down so they can score partisan points with their supporters. In effect they are holding the economy and average Americans hostage,” Pingree said in a press release issued by her office earlier this evening.