The government shutdown has led to a slew of press releases, press calls and e-mail exchanges throughout this week. A workable solution for congressional Republicans and Democrats is yet in sight, which has led to the local race for congress to heat up some in recent days.
For Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, it also means taking shots from two candidates who want his job. Democrats Shaughnessy Naughton and Kevin Strouse.
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Thursday in Bristol, in front of the Bucks County Veteran’s Center, Strauss held a press conference making the point that military families and government employees are now suffering because of the shutdown.
Strouse, a former Army Ranger, challenged Congressman Fitzpatrick to “stop playing games bring a clean bill to the floor.”
At the same time Strauss was holding his press conference, Fitzpatrick, announced his support for a bipartisan plan to fund the government while rolling back one of the most unpopular parts of the president’s health care law, a press release said.
Credit: Jeff Bohen/LevittownNow.com
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“I was sent to Washington to solve problems and make government work, not shut it down. It’s us in the “radical middle” who are finding solutions to get the government running -that means even on the tough issues it is important to work with members of both parties,” said Fitzpatrick. “This plan is a reasonable compromise that moves our nation forward by addressing concerns about the President’s healthcare law.”
Strouse emphasized the shutdown puts thousands of disabled veterans at risk and the potential of the Veterans Benefits Administration being forced to furlough up to 12,000 claims processor- clogging the already backed up system.
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Pennsylvania families and voters in the 8th District. In Pennsylvania, nearly 71,000 federal employees are facing a furlough, about 6,000 of whom live in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, Strouse said.
Naughton also called on Fitzpatrick to vote for a clean bill also saying the Fitzpatrick promised that to residents of the of the eight district. “Fitzpatrick has assured the people here in the Eighth District that he will do anything he can to end the shutdown,” said Naughton. “But he is a hypocrite. He refused to vote for the clean spending bill that was negotiated last night and he hasn’t signed a discharge petition. Clearly, Fitzpatrick cares more about appeasing Tea Party leaders than he cares about the pain his own constituents are feeling from the shutdown, ”
At 2:30 on Friday, Fitzpatrick held a press call where he announced his support of bipartisan legislation what would make sure back pay for furloughed federal workers affected by the government shutdown.
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To be continued…
