Rep. Sykes Votes To Keep The Government Open, Maintain Critical Services For People In Ohio’s 13th Congressional District
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) issued a statement after voting in support of a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund our government and keep critical services running for people and families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District:
“From the beginning of this extremist manufactured crisis, I promised to work with anyone — Republican or Democrat — to keep critical government services running and avoid a government shutdown that would force our troops and law enforcement to work without pay, cut small businesses off from support they need, and make it harder for families to put food on their tables,” said Rep. Sykes. “That’s why I voted in favor of today’s bill that would temporarily fund our government. Let me be clear — this bill is far from perfect, and our work is not yet done. This bill only funds our government for 45 days, meaning extreme Republicans can once again put the American people through the same chaos in just over a month. It’s therefore imperative Congress immediately pass my Feed Our Families Act and Pay Our Military Act so our servicemembers and families won’t have to go into the holiday season worrying if they will be able to pay their bills or feed their families.”
The CR funds the government for 45 days through mid-November and includes a 90-day extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Unfortunately, this legislation sets our nation up to let those most in need go hungry during the coldest months of the year. Because of how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) distributes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, if this short-term funding is allowed to lapse in 45 days, USDA may be unable to distribute food assistance benefits to the states for the month of December. That would leave nearly 40 million Americans unable to put food on the table during the holiday season.
Rep. Sykes’ Feed Our Families Act would prevent this inadvertent tragedy from occurring by immediately appropriating three months of funding into SNAP’s reserve account if Congress fails to do its most basic job by funding the government.
“The holiday season should be when Americans take stock of the blessings in our lives, not struggle to make ends meet. We must immediately pass my Feed Our Families Act so no family has to worry about going hungry because of Congress’ failure to fund SNAP,” said Rep. Sykes.
Rep. Sykes also introduced the bipartisan Pay Our Military Act, which would provide appropriations for pay and support for all members of the Armed Forces, civilian personnel at the Department of Defense, members of the Coast Guard, necessary contractors, and reservists during a government shutdown.
The continuing resolution now awaits action in the Senate, in order to avert a government shutdown at midnight tonight.