HIRONO VOTES TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND PROTECT KUPUNA, SERVICE MEMBERS AND WORKING FAMILIES

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today to stop a government shutdown by passing a clean continuing resolution that also protects health care reform funding. The U.S. House of Representatives now must follow suit before midnight October 1 to avoid a government shutdown that would furlough thousands of federal workers in Hawaii alone.

“Today, the far-right quest to defund Obamacare failed. Now it is time for House Republicans to act responsibly to stop a government shutdown that would furlough thousands of workers in Hawaii,” Hirono said. “A shutdown would stop Hawaii residents from accessing basic government services, prevent military personnel from receiving their paychecks, stop the processing of new Social Security and veterans benefits and block access to loans and assistance for small businesses. Hawaii’s visitor industry could also face harm since a long-term shutdown could prevent the State Department from approving new tourist visas. The House needs to quit manufacturing crises that hurt Hawaii’s families and economy and let us get back to crafting legislation that will create jobs and boost our economy.”

Earlier this week, Hirono joined her Democratic female colleagues, pregnant women, new mothers and medical professionals today to blast Republican attempts to defund health care reform by forcing a government shutdown.