KATKO: CONGRESS MUST CONTINUE TO GOVERN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today announced his steadfast commitment to ensuring that government remain open and that Congress continue to function, despite the current uncertainty in Washington surrounding changes in leadership and threats of a future government shutdown.  Government shutdowns add to our nation’s deficit.  Representative Katko today signed on as the Republican Lead on The Shutdown Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham (D, FL-2) that implements a series of measures to alleviate the prospect of a government shutdown. 

“Central New Yorkers are frustrated.  I’m committed to working in Congress to fight through Washington gridlock, and I am very proud to have already produced legislative results for my constituents,” said Rep. John Katko.  “It is ok to have a debate, but as lawmakers, we have a duty to ensure that the government is funded and continues to run.  That’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation this week which would move us away from governing from crisis to crisis.”

The legislation follows last week’s vote for a clean continuing resolution, which prevented government shutdown just hours before funding lapsed.  Representative Katko’s bill was the vehicle for that measure.

Specifically, the Shutdown Prevention Act would require that Congress take the following action in the event of a government shutdown:

1. Within 24 hours of a government shutdown, any Member of Congress would be permitted to offer a clean, 30-day continuing resolution.
2. During the ensuing 30-day period, travel funds for Members of Congress would be limited, Congressional recesses forbidden, and weekends limited to just two days.  Members would be under these limits until they pass a funding bill through the end of the fiscal year.

“There is no question that we have a heavy agenda ahead of us this Congress.  We need to pass a long-term highway bill, negotiate a budget that meets the needs of the American people, and address our country’s growing deficit.  This legislation will force Members of Congress to reach across the aisle to negotiate and will ensure that we recommit to addressing the priorities of the American people,” concluded Katko.

Last month, Rep. Katko joined a number of his freshman colleagues in urging the entire House Republican Conference to pass a funding measure and avert a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown.

Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties, and a portion of Oswego County.  For more information, please visit Katko.house.gov or facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.

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