Warner, Webb join group urging Boehner to avoid government shutdown

A group of 16 moderate Democratic senators, led by Mark Udall of Colorado, today sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, urging him to prevent a shutdown of the federal government that would hurt our country’s still-fragile economy and distract from the need to work together to address greater, long-term fiscal challenges.

The senators agree that addressing the nation’s debt requires urgent action, and they added their voices to those who are extremely concerned that a minority in the Republican Party are pushing for a government shutdown solely to assert a political point.

In addition to Mark Udall, the letter was signed by Tom Carper (D-Del.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Jim Webb (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Bob Casey (D=Pa.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.).

Not only would a shutdown distract Congress from focusing on a comprehensive, bipartisan approach to debt reduction, economists have warned that it would stunt productivity, erode confidence in the U.S. economy and hamper job growth, the senators wrote. At a time when the economy is still recovering, they said, the federal government and Congress “should be single-mindedly focused on supporting economic development and job growth.”

Senate Democrats have shown significant flexibility, agreeing to Republicans’ original proposal to keep the government running through the year while protecting jobs.

“Knowing that a bipartisan deal is within reach to cut tens of billions of dollars from current funding levels, it would be irresponsible to shut down the government and punish our constituents solely to assert a political point,” the senators continued. “We stand ready to resolve this short-term funding debate in a common-sense way and work with you on tackling the even more daunting fiscal challenges our country must confront. The American people expect no less.”