A government shutdown is looking more and more likely, but can be avoided, says Arizona Senator Jon Kyl (R). Sen. Kyl went on Fox News Thursday night, lamenting the current situation and confirming to the American people that the big, bad budget battle is, at this point, little more than a pissing contest over defunding Planned Parenthood.
We put a call in to Sen. Kyl's Phoenix office Thursday, and were told by staffers Kyl "wants to see a resolution as soon as possible. He wants to see compromise." Sen. Kyl expressed the same Thursday night on On The Record with Greta Van Susteren, explaining that while House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Harry Reid "have a hard job", he is certain "there is a way to compromise" to avoid a government shutdown in 2011.
Government Shutdown 2011: Arizona Senator Calls For Compromise
If the House Of Representative does not pass the hotly contested budget bill by midnight April 9, Americans will feel the sting of the first shutdown of the federal government in over 15 years. Back in 1995 and 1996, President Clinton also found himself at a stalemate with House Republicans, and Newt Gingrich in particular, and the country found itself essentially cut off. Toxic waste site clean-ups were halted, national parks closed their gates, visa and passport services were shut down and military families suffered.
Will this happen again? If Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Leader (D-NV) fail to collect 218 votes in favor of passing the budget, or if President Obama were to use veto power, we will be confronted with Government Shutdown 2011. What exactly would this mean?
For one thing, Sen. Jon Kyl told Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren Thursday, point blank, "The military isn't going to get paid." This fact alone makes the thought of a government shutdown almost inconceivable. And yet, it is a sadly distinct possibility at this hour. Other areas that may be affected negatively during a shutdown of the federal government include veteran services, tourism, social security claims, federal employee payroll, and federal funding to the states. Air travel, postal services, emergency services and other critical services would not be affected.
How do you feel about what's going on in Washington right now? Is it acceptable that our representatives have waited so long to do their jobs and come to an agreement in the best interest of our country that our country now faces a shutdown? Is it even slightly acceptable that our troops not be paid, for any period of time, largely because a few hold-outs cannot get past grown women seeking personal medical care, or the fact that NPR gets a smidgen of dough?
Sound off in the comments below, and share your thoughts! You can also contact Sen. Jon Kyl here to express your opinions as a constituent of Arizona (scroll to bottom for Phoenix and DC contact information).
Comments