As the federal government shutdown heads towards its third week, US Congressman representing The Bronx says he has continued to voice opposition to this reckless and destructive government shutdown.
People in the Bronx and elsewhere are suffering as a result of the pointless government shutdown. From small businesses who cannot get loans to parents who depend upon government assistance, the shutdown is harming people living across this great nation. The solution is easy and obvious – to reopen the entire federal government. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues continue to play political games with the government services that Americans depend upon by refusing to do the right thing unless they get their way.
Congressman José E. Serrano says "Our system works on the basis of compromise, not hostage-taking. It works through reasonable dialogue and a normal give-and-take process. We see some in Congress repudiating this system and moving to one where they seek to force their views on an unwilling American people. It is deeply dysfunctional and represents a core lack of respect for our American system of checks and balances."
He goes on to say " let’s work together toward a better future for our nation, not tear apart the system we have built up over the centuries. Our democratic government, our laws, and our behavior as elected officials should reflect our best impulses as Americans: The impulses to help one another and to take care of those in need. The impulse that our nation is strongest when we work together through dialogue and compromise. I believe this is possible and will continue to work towards it. It is required of us as representatives of the American people."
Meanwhile, a new NBC/WSJ poll: states that 60 percent of US voters want to fire every member of Congress.
This 60 percent figure happens to be the highest-ever in that question recorded in the poll, registered in the wake of the government shutdown and threat of the U.S. defaulting on its debt for the first time in history.