The American people must demand Congressional Republicans to stop playing partisan politics with the U.S. economy. Congress’s actions, or lack thereof, threaten all Americans.

Once again, Republicans in Congress appear to be on track to trigger another government shutdown on October 1, 2023. Non-serious Republicans in the House of Representatives will again stick their heads in the ground and do the dumb thing, not vote for the 12 appropriations bills required to support the government.

Government shutdowns can harm economic growth and certainty. The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found that the “last three government shutdowns cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion. Shutdowns disrupted scientific research, services for veterans and seniors, and health and safety inspections by the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. A government shutdown may also cause another downgrade to the U.S. credit rating.

Government shutdowns also contribute to economic insecurity among federal workers. Americans will be unable to pay their monthly bills in full. Engaging in fiscal recklessness by Congressional Republicans delays the tough decisions and has actual costs for the budget, the economy, and everyday Americans. “Instead of governing by crisis, lawmakers should work together to create a long-term plan that addresses the growing mismatch between spending and revenue and puts us on a sustainable fiscal path.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee for fiscal year 2024 passed spending bills and sent the Committee’s final four bills for consideration by the full Senate. Once again, spineless Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, must work with the House Minority Leader, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, to protect the U.S. credit rating and the value of the dollar, and pass all 12 appropriations bills required to support the U.S. government ability to pay its’ bolls.

I understand that most of the rookie Congressional Republicans don’t understand the powers that the American people have granted them; however, the adults in the room must step forward and do the work of a REAL political leader – you don’t play games with the lives of the American people. More than half, or 58%, of all Americans, live paycheck-to-paycheck; therefore, we must call out every Congressional drama queen who continues to affect our financial existence negatively.