WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Charles B. Rangel today called for the Republican leadership to abandon its pursuit of a divisive social and political agenda, come to the table, and work with Democrats to prevent a shutdown.

“The American people want us to act to create jobs and strengthen our middle class, not shut down the government, deny public services taxpayers have paid for, and jeopardize our economic recovery,” Rep. Rangel said.  “I am committed to responsibly reducing the deficit and keeping the government open, but Republicans are pushing an ideological social agenda that is threatening a government shutdown.”

Numerous independent news reports say Republican negotiators continue to hold up the budget talks by insisting on divisive issues that restrict women’s health services and do not belong in a Continuing Resolution.

President Obama and Senate Democrats have demonstrated their clear willingness to do what it takes to avoid a shutdown – meeting House Republicans more than halfway on spending cuts; but GOP leaders have refused to sign onto an agreement.  Yesterday, Democrats offered Republicans three different opportunities to vote to keep the government open; again, Republicans said no.  And today, we gave them another opportunity that Republicans rejected.

“A government shutdown is not in the best interests of our country, our families, and our economy.  Democrats are focused America’s number one priority: creating jobs.  Republicans should join us in achieving this goal,” Rep. Rangel said.

Shutting down the government has real consequences for America’s workers, businesses, and communities.  In addition to the 800,000 federal public servants left without a paycheck to support their families, millions of people would be left without access to critical services, including business owners, farmers, and veterans.

Overall, independent analysts have estimated that any shutdown will impact our economy, and one lasting more than a few days could slow our growth over the long term – severely undermining our ability to extend our recovery and put people back to work.

In addition, the Center for American Progress issued a report outlining critical services delayed, interrupted, or shut down if the government shuts down, including veterans’ benefits and health services.  Americans will lose a number of critical services as Social Security applications go unprocessed, veterans lose access to health and financial services, and troops’ pay is put on hold.  Health services, including disease surveillance, disease hotlines, and cleanup work at toxic waste sites, would pause.  Passport applications would go unprocessed; national parks and museums would close; and taxpayers could potentially lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

"There are no winners if the government shuts down.  As long as they're giving political speeches, we're not going to get anything done to create jobs. We lose money and our government loses credibility. It's time for us to get together and bring some responsibility to this government," Rangel said.

For information regarding how a Government Shutdown will affect you, please visit our Government Shutdown FAQ  page on Rangel.house.gov.