WASHINGTON, D.C. – One local Congressman says both Democrats and Republicans want to avoid a government shutdown and get a federal budget passed – or, at least, a short-term extension – by midnight Saturday night.
Seventeenth District Democrat Eric Sorensen – in a telephone town hall Thursday night – says not everyone sees it that way.
“Democrats and moderate Republicans want to work together. But we’ve got extremists that want to cut these investments,” says Sorensen (D-East Moline), “which would put our economy at risk, and force middle-class Americans to pay more for essential goods and services.”
Sorensen is also urging the passage of a farm bill, and his plan that would lower some costs for things like energy and prescription drugs.
“We’ve got just a few people, and with an extreme agenda, that want to cause chaos,” said Sorensen.
While constituents got to ask questions during the town hall, they were relayed through a moderator. In addition to the government shutdown, questions included topics like robocalls, the United Auto Workers strike, what impact a government shutdown would have on the U.S. Postal Service, pay for the military amid the shutdown, and border protection – for which Sorensen says security is desperately needed.
