Working Together

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Members of Congress, like myself, are elected to make sure our government functions. It is our job, our responsibility to those who elect us. However, right now I am sure that you and your fellow citizens are questioning how we have come to this point, and how this impasse will be resolved.

The fact is that right-wing, Tea Party Republicans have forced the shutdown of the government for one simple reason - because they disagree with the Affordable Care Act; a statute that passed by both houses of Congress, was upheld by the Supreme Court, and was validated in the 2012 Presidential election. They have shut down the government because they opposed a law that will protect healthcare consumers and provide affordable coverage to millions of Americans. They lost the vote in Congress, in the Supreme Court, and the popular vote of the nation, but they will not relent.

The Republican agenda is focused on dividing our country, and crippling our economy which is finally showing true signs of recovery, unless the Democrats bend to their will. I find this to be a truly despicable tactic, and I have spoken out about it on the House floor repeatedly this week, and will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.

This time it’s the Affordable Care Act, but who knows what next week will bring.

One thing is clear - we must work together. There are moderate Republicans who are speaking out and are willing to cast their vote to reopen the government, without any partisan strings attached.

We are a nation recovering from a major economic recession. We are a state with record unemployment, still struggling from Hurricane Sandy. I am writing to you today to let you know: I’m on your side. Along with my Democratic colleagues in the House, I will not cave to extreme tactics put in place by Republicans more interested in ideology than action. We have important work to do in Washington, and that will always remain my focus.



Sincerely,

Frank Pallone, Jr.