Braley: Government shutdown would be "reckless and irresponsible"

Northeast Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley is calling the government shutdown bill passed by the House of Representatives "reckless and irresponsible."  Braley says a shutdown is a threat to job creation and economic recovery.

Said Braley, "Political brinksmanship and hostage-taking is no way to run a government.  Congress must find a solution that doesn't hurt our economy or middle class families."

Braley's office says in the event of a shutdown, Iowa Guardsmen/women would not be paid.  Approximately 1,000 full-time Iowa National Guard employees would be furloughed until the government is funded. Additionally, depending on how long the shutdown lasts, the Guard could have to cancel training and other duties, which could affect another more than 7,500 soldiers and airmen.
 
Iowa small businesses would be denied approval of SBA-guaranteed loans for business working capital, real estate investment or job creation activities.  Dozens of Iowa small businesses could immediately lose access to economic development loans – and that number would grow as a shutdown continues.

A government shutdown could prevent new Social Security beneficiaries from receiving social security payments.

Issuance of Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgages in Iowa could cease during a shutdown. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is self-financed, but authority to insure new home loans is authorized annually in appropriations acts. Therefore, in a shutdown, the FHA could be unable to insure new home loans.

FEMA Employees could be furloughed.  Employees funded by annual appropriations must be furloughed during a funding lapse in such appropriations, with an exception for those employees needed to carry out functions that are necessary for the protection of life and property. Some FEMA employees are funded by annual appropriations.

Shutdown would affect federally-managed parks and other public spaces in Iowa.  More than 2,000 historic and natural attractions in Iowa could be affected.  Tourism to these NPS sites in 2011 contributed $12 million in economic benefit to local Iowa communities.