Politics & Government

Shutdown Over? NH Delegation Reacts

The proposal still needs to be approved by the House.

U.S. Senate leaders announced Wednesday afternoon that a deal had been reached to end the government shutdown, according to CNN.

The deal still has to pass the House, but members of New Hampshire's federal delegation are already weighing in on the possible end to the shutdown.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) was one of the first to comment, saying on Twitter that she's glad that the two sides were finally able to work together:

"Glad Rs and Ds have come to agreement that will reopen govt and resolve debt ceiling impasse," she said. "We can and must work together to address longterm fiscal issues facing our nation- that's what we were sent here to do"

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement:

"I’m glad that we have found common ground on a bipartisan plan to reopen the government and make sure our country pays its bills," she said. "But make no mistake about it – small businesses, jobs and our economy have suffered greatly as a result of a crisis that was manufactured by a small number of individuals over the past two-and-a-half weeks. No one wins when we put jobs and the economy at risk in an attempt to score political points. Americans are rightfully frustrated by Washington’s dysfunction and chaos and I am too.  

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"Throughout this crisis, it became clear that the majority of Congress wanted to find a bipartisan way to move our country forward," Shaheen added. "Today we accomplished that goal for the short-term and now we need a long-term plan to address our debt and deficits which will help avoid future manufactured crises that hurt jobs, the economy and our middle-class."

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Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) also issued a statement on the Senate's bipartisan agreement: 

"I’m pleased that after weeks of political brinksmanship, Congress is now poised to pass bipartisan legislation that will put an end to this senseless shutdown and lift the threat of default," she said. "This isn’t a perfect bill, but it reflects good-faith, bipartisan negotiations and provides a way forward at this late stage. I applaud the bipartisan group of Senators who helped reach this agreement, and urge both chambers of Congress to quickly send this bill to President Obama’s desk. Once it becomes law, Congress needs to immediately return its focus to working together on a long-term, bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

"While today’s breakthrough is a critical step forward, Congress shouldn’t pat itself on the back for ending a manufactured crisis it created in the first place," Kuster added. "The partisan brinksmanship we’ve seen in recent weeks has hurt families and businesses all across New Hampshire. It was entirely avoidable and we cannot let it happen again. Moving forward, both parties need to come together, put an end to these partisan games, and focus on doing the right thing for our country."

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) had this to say about the agreement:

"I will support this legislation," she said. "I am hopeful that obstructionists in the House of Representatives yield to reason and support the bipartisan Senate plan to end the government shutdown, avoid default, and refocus on economic growth.

"For two weeks, the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party has held the American government and economy hostage in a futile attempt to obstruct the Affordable Care Act," Shea-Porter added. "This is an unacceptable way to govern.

"It’s time for Washington to stop dragging America from one crisis to the next and work together on a bipartisan budget that grows the economy and creates jobs."


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