Washington D.C.—Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement in response to President Trump saying we need a “good shutdown” of the government in September:“There is no such thing as a ‘good’ government shutdown. Anyone who claims different is simply being irresponsible.“When Republicans shut down the government in 2013, our economy was hamstrung; tax refunds totaling $4 billion were delayed; our veterans were forced to wait for the processing of new disability claims; federal research activities at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly shut down entirely; Environmental Protection Agency inspections were halted at 1,200 locations; the National Parks shut down, resulting in $500 million in lost tourism revenue; and seniors were terrified that their Social Security checks wouldn’t arrive. And those were just some of the major problems we saw in 2013.“The impact of a shutdown is not limited in scope—everyone will feel the pinch in one form or another. So, no, Mr. President. We don’t need a ‘good shutdown.’”###Bryant Daniels | Director of Public Affairs
Congressman Eliot L. Engel
2462 Rayburn House Building | (202) 225-2464
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