Saying it isn’t a perfect plan, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Wednesday said she would vote in favor of the recently passed House stopgap funding bill to avoid a federal government shutdown.
“A shutdown would put the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in jeopardy. It would force thousands of service members in our state to work without pay, deprive children who rely on WIC of food assistance, and prevent federal agencies from conducting critical safety inspections,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will be voting to keep the government open and running to avoid these devastating consequences. I am also urging Republicans to work with Democrats to pass a supplemental package that includes resources to help Israel defend itself against terrorism, to help Ukraine defend against Russian aggression, and to secure our southern border. This package is critical to our national security and I am determined to get it passed.”
Gillibrand said a government shutdown would be catastrophic for New York’s working families. Over 70,000 federal employees in the state – as well as at least 30,000 service members – would be furloughed or forced to work without pay indefinitely. More than 400,000 New Yorkers who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), including nearly 330,000 infants and children, would be at risk of losing critical food assistance and going hungry. A shutdown would also hinder or prevent the Food and Drug Administration from conducting food safety inspections; the Environmental Protection Agency from conducting drinking water inspections; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from conducting workplace safety inspections – putting the health and safety of all Americans at risk.
