US GOVT. EMPLOYEES PROTEST “SHUTDOWN”
Washington, 26 Dul Qa’idah 1434/2 October 2013 (MINA) – Members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) called on the government to reopen after its first shut down in seventeen years. AFGE also called on Republicans to act more sensitively regarding the country’s economy.
Holding a press conference at the working offices of the US Congress House of Representatives along with representatives from the Democrats, the members carried banners reading “We want to work.”
Democrats such as John Delaney, Steany Hoyer and Jim Moren, led by David Cox supported the AFGE during the demonstrations.
Noting that the reopening of government would be one of the best services, the speaker of the group called on Republicans to act more sensitively regarding the country’s economy.
Recent conditions will have negative effects on the whole economy as well as small business, AFGE member Tyron Evington told AA in an exclusive interview. He called on all Congress representatives to work and end the clashes within the House.
The US government began a partial shutdown on Tuesday as the House and the Senate couldn’t agree on an emergency spending bill to fund the government.
The House and the Senate have blamed each other for more than a week over Obamacare, the president’s signature health care law, Anadolu Agency reported as monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
Republicans insisted on delaying President Obama’s health care reforms as a condition for passing the budget.
The lawmakers failed to compromise on the bill before a midnight deadline.
More than 700,000 US government workers face unpaid leave with no guarantee of back pay once the deadlock is over.
The federal government was shut down twice in 1995-96 when Bill Clinton was president, but has not closed since then.
The US government began a partial shutdown on Tuesday, October 1st as the House and the Senate couldn’t agree on an emergency spending bill to fund the government.
“Unfortunately, Congress has not fulfilled its responsibility. It has failed to pass a budget and, as a result, much of our government must now shut down until Congress funds it again,” Obama told in a statement to military members and Department of Defense employees.
The House and the Senate blamed each other for more than a week over Obamacare, the president’s signature health care law.
Republicans insisted on delaying President Obama’s health care reforms as a condition for passing the budget and the lawmakers failed to compromise on the bill before a midnight deadline.
More than 700,000 US government workers face unpaid leave with no guarantee of back pay once the deadlock is over.
“I know this comes on top of the furloughs that many of you already endured this summer. You and your families deserve better than the dysfunction we’re seeing in Congress. … That’s why I’ll keep working to get Congress to reopen our government and get you back to work as soon as possible,” Obama said.
Civilians may get more furloughs whereas the US president stated that troops would get paid on time.(T/P04/E1)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
