HOUSE ATTEMPTS TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE MOST VISIBLE SYMPTOMS OF THIS UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WHILE STANDING UP FOR VETERANS, SAYS ROS-LEHTINEN

Oct 1, 2013 Issues: Defense Abroad, Economy, Education, Veterans

PRESS RELEASE
For more information:                                                                       October 1, 2013
Christine del Portillo
Office    (202) 225-3931
Cellular (202) 225-4630

HOUSE ATTEMPTS TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE MOST VISIBLE SYMPTOMS OF THIS UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WHILE STANDING UP FOR VETERANS, SAYS ROS-LEHTINEN

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a member of the Florida congressional delegation, is disappointed by the failure of two important, and easily bipartisan pieces of legislation, that would have provided an immediate end to delayed veterans benefits as well as temporary funding for the re-opening national parks and memorials during this needless Government shutdown. While the measures received a majority of votes in favor, both failed to garner enough Democratic votes to meet the two-thirds threshold necessary for passage.  

The first piece of legislation she voted in favor of, the Honoring our Promise to America’s Veterans Act, would have provided for the immediate availability of funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This would have provided for veteran’s disability payments, the GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans.

She also joined the majority of her House colleagues in voting for the Open Our Nation’s Parks and Museums Act, a bill that would have provided immediate funding for National Park Service operations, including the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Museum.

Each of these bills was a temporary funding solution until Congress can enact more permanent pieces of legislation.

“These two important bills should have been stepping stones to grander solutions to the current mess of a Government shutdown in which our great nation finds itself.  They would have also allowed us to honor the eternal debt of gratitude we all owe to our nation’s veterans while resolving the most visible symptom of Federal workers staying home - the closing of parks and Museums. Now more than ever, and as I have said before, it’s way past time for all parties to work together in a genuine, bipartisan and adult manner to end this unnecessary government shutdown.” Said Ros-Lehtinen.

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