Friday night shutdown would stop NTSB inspections during 737 max investigations

Above: Gottheimer discussing the disastrous effects of the looming government shutdown.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, January 17, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer called on far-right extremists to stop threatening key federal services that put at risk our nation’s children, families, veterans, seniors, and safety, including the National Transportation Safety Board inspectors and inspections.

Video can be found here.

“It makes me sick that these far-right extremists are ready to defund our veterans, our families, and countless critical federal investments in safety. If the Speaker believes, as he should, that one of his most important responsibilities is to make life more affordable, protect those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, and keep our nation safe, then there should be no scenario where he lets a small band of far-right extremists defund the government,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

IMPACTS OF JANUARY 19 SHUTDOWN:

• Stops the VA from working through the backlog of veterans claims in their system. This will even further delay those sick or injured from receiving disability benefits including for physical conditions, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions like PTSD.
• Stops the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) from inspecting aircraft just as dozens of 737 Max 9 planes are going through key safety inspections.
• Stops the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from enforcing anti-discrimination laws and cuts off key federal assistance to vulnerable communities.
• Stops the U.S. Department of Agriculture from distributing critical loans and assistance, delays the financing of health care, emergency response, and other essential services to rural communities.
• Freezes new investments for the federal school meals program, meals on wheels for seniors, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for lower-income pregnant and nursing women, babies, and young children, and for SNAP to help lower-income families with their groceries.

IMPACTS OF FEBRUARY 2 SHUTDOWN:

• Halts pay to more than a million service men and women
• Halts pay for federal law enforcement, who are critical to keeping our communities safe and protecting our national security, putting their operations could be put on hold or slowed down. 
• Jeopardizes federal investments for key programs like SAFER, LESO, AFG, and COPS grants that protect our communities and police.
• Threatens countless defense projects, from fighter jets to naval destroyers – key to our national security.
• Stops vital FDA food safety inspections of fruits, vegetables and seafood.

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