Rep. Peters Calls on Speaker Boehner to End Shutdown

Washington, DC – Late yesterday, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), joined by 199 of his Democratic colleagues, sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner demanding a vote on ‘clean’ continuing resolution that would fund the whole government and end the shutdown. The Senate has passed a clean continuing resolution and the President has signaled that he would sign it.

“In San Diego, we know all too well the impact that this irresponsible shutdown is having on local families and the regional economy,” Congressman Peters said. “In combination with the sequester, this year’s cuts are undermining our economic potential and harming scientific research, our national security readiness, and the long-term infrastructure planning necessary to stay competitive. It is time for Speaker Boehner to bring the clean continuing resolution to the House floor; it would pass and furloughed Americans could go back to work tomorrow morning.

“It was important to join my colleagues in letting the Speaker know that this shutdown needs to end. While I have supported measures over the past week to open up pieces and parts of the government, these measures have not advanced. And I wholeheartedly agree that negotiations over the budget and spending should happen – I have been asking for that for months. However, we must get the government open and the debt ceiling raised so that we can have those discussions without causing serious economic harm.”

Since the shutdown began last Tuesday, House Democrats have tried seven times to bring up a vote on the clean continuing resolution, which has passed the Senate and would fund government and end the shutdown immediately. However, House Republicans have blocked a vote on each of those measures.

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