Democratic Party of Georgia

Help Move Georgia Forward

GA Dems Say Elected Officials Must be Held Accountable

Time for leaders in Washington to win back trust

 

Georgia Democrats expressed relief today with the halting of the federal government shutdown, but expressed displeasure in the accountability of Congress to conduct the people’s business.

 

“While the short-term deal reached Wednesday will delay permanent harm to the economy, the GOP obstructionists who engaged in brinksmanship with the lives of millions of Americans must be held to a higher standard by their constituents.  We are elected to do the business of government, and if we fail to do our jobs, legislators must be held to account,” said Rep. Stacey Abrams, leader of the Georgia House Minority Caucus.

President Barack Obama signed a measure into law reopening the federal government and averting a potential default. The White House budget office has instructed federal workers to return to work Thursday morning. The measure restores funding for the government through Jan. 15 and extends the nation’s borrowing authority through Feb. 7.

Senate Democratic Leader Steve Henson concurred with Abrams and said it’s time to lift the cloud of uncertainty.

“It’s time for leaders in Washington to win back the trust of Americans lost during the debt and spending crisis,” Henson said. “The current legislation will permit the Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7, or perhaps a month longer, and fund the government through Jan. 15, but the cloud of financial uncertainty must be lifted.’

Georgia relies on the federal government for nearly a third of its state’s revenue. The full impact of the federal shutdown was only weeks away in Georgia and would have impacted thousands of Georgia families. Georgia’s balanced state budget relies upon $11 billion in federal funding.

“It’s time to take the threat of default off the table. It’s time to restore some sanity to government. Democrats stand ready to do our part and hold elected official accountable,” said DuBose Porter, chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Georgia Democrats are unified to ensure that the state budget reflect the priorities of Georgians, including education, health care and an unemployment safety net for those who lose their jobs during an economic downturn.

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Chairman DuBose Porter on Shutdown and Looming Default

Atlanta, GA – October 16, 2013 – The Republican Party’s refusal to allow Georgians to obtain affordable health care has now cost our country and state dearly by shutting down the federal government and barreling down a path to default on its debt within 24 hours.

 

“The recklessness of the Republican Party is destroying the way of life for working families in Georgia,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “President Obama has made historic strides in bringing America out of the 2008 Recession. 7.5 million private sector jobs have been added, deficits are falling and the housing sector is turning the corner. We’ve come a long way. But, the GOP is willing to tank all of the progress we’ve made, all in an effort to halt a law that provides affordable health care to Georgians who desperately need it.  A law, by the way, that was passed by Congress, signed by the President, reaffirmed by the American people when they re-elected President Obama, and upheld by the Supreme Court”

 

“In the city of Columbus alone, 3000 civilian employees have been furloughed. That’s a huge hit for one city to burden,” said Porter. “And that’s happening in cities all across Georgia. Working families in our state can’t afford to play out a recession all over again.”

 

“Georgians deserve better than this, and should not have their government held hostage over what is undeniably the law of the land. A challenge by the Republicans in this manner is irresponsible and un-American.  We deserve a clean vote on the budget.”