Sixth District Report
Dear Friend,
As of midnight, President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Senate had still refused to pass any of the four proposals for keeping the government open passed by the House of Representatives. As a result, the federal government has shut down until an agreement to resume government funding can be reached.
I have voted four times to prevent a shutdown, and in the spirit of Henry Clay, urged all sides to negotiate and compromise to reach a fair solution. When one side will not join the conversation, it is impossible to negotiate a solution.
Hous e Passes #NoSpecialTreatment Provision
I also believe that the President and Members of Congress should live by the same health care law that they have imposed on the American people.
Since coming to Congress, I have advocated the elimination of Obamacare exemptions for Congress and congressional staff. I introduced the Live by the Laws You Write Act in May to close Obamacare’s congressional loophole and ensure that Congress and its staff are not exempt from the laws that it writes. I now have over 4,000 "Citizen Cosponsors" of this important legislation and encourage you to sign up by going to
www.Barr.House.Gov/NoSpecialTreatment .
Yesterday, the House made this provision a central piece of its provision to continue to fund the government because w e must end the special privileges for the political class in Washington. It's time for Americans to get the same deal that President Obama and fellow Democrats have given themselves and powerful special interest groups.
It's a simple concept: Why should we allow the administration to delay Obamacare for large employers and exempt Members of Congress and the political elite, but not also provide relief for individuals and families?
I call on my colleagues in the House, both on this side and that side of the aisle, to support fairness for the American people.
If Obamacare is what the president insists on, then it should apply to everyone. And that includes the politicians in Washington.
While I continue to work towards a bipartisan solution and press the Senate to pass a responsible measure to keep the government funded, President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Senate have refused to pass any of the continuing resolutions proposed by the House of Representatives and continue to refuse to come to the table to negotiate.
As a result, the federal government will shut down until an agreement can be reached to resume government funding.
What Does a Shutdown Mean For You?
While I remain optimistic that a reasonable, bipartisan agreement will be negotiated to reopen the government, I wanted to answer some questions you may have about what a government shutdown means for you:
•Will your staff be holding traveling office hours during the government shutdown? Due to the requirements of the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits incurrance of debt when there is no appropriations bill in effect, the House has been required to furlough staff and reduce significant operations. As a result, my staff's traveling office hours have been temporarily suspended. In addition, tours of the U.S. Capitol, flying of flags above the Capitol and other services will be suspended for the duration of the shutdown.
•Will I still get my mail? Yes. The U. S. Postal Service functions as an independent business unit.
•Will seniors continue to get Social Security benefits? Yes. Social Security is a mandatory spending program , and the people who send those checks would continue to work under a legal doctrine called "necessary implication."
•Can I get a passport? The Department of State says, “consular operations domestically and overseas will remain 100% operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations.”
•Will food safety inspections continue? The Food Safety and Inspection Service would continue all safety-related activities. The Food and Drug Administration would limit its activities but continue to monitor recalls and conduct investigations .
•Will this affect my bank? No. Banking and access to your accounts will not be affected.
•Will disaster response be affected? No.
•What will happen to veterans receiving compensation for service-or combat-related wounds and injuries? The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has the funds to continue support into late October.
•Will active-duty military be furloughed? No. All active-duty military are essential and should report as scheduled. I have supported legislation to ensure that members of the military and their families are not harmed by a disruption in pay due to a shutdown.
•Will this diminish our national security? No. Federal law enforcement and government security agencies will continue to serve and protect the American people.
•Will the IRS continue to collect taxes? Yes. All payments will be processed.
•Will some federal employees continue to work during a shutdown? Yes. Employees considered necessary to protect public health, safety or property will continue to work. Employees necessary for the President and Congress to carry out their constitutional responsibilities are exempt. Finally, employees whose salaries are paid from sources outside an annual spending bill can still get paid and report to work.
•Will the President be paid during a shutdown? Yes. The president's $400,000 salary is mandatory spending. If furloughs begin to affect the government's ability to process payroll, his paycheck could be delayed.
Those who make the laws should have to live by those laws. So as a result of partisan bickering and gridlock, I will be donating my salary for the duration of the government shutdown to local charities until the Senate and President agree to negotiate with the House and we are able to work together to find a solution and reopen the government.
You may also visit my website for more information about a partial government shutdown .
Sincerely,
Andy Barr
