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Obama Speaks On Looming Government Shutdown

Syuzanna Petrosyan |
September 30, 2013 | 2:34 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

President Obama (Creative Commons)
President Obama (Creative Commons)

President Obama strongly condemned Congress for risking the economy and going against the interests of the American people in a press conference held Monday afternoon. 

He explained the consequences of a government shutdown for average citizens. Some of the ramifications mentioned by Obama included the shutting down of NASA, delaying paychecks of some government employees and closure of national parks and libraries. 

Government departments which will not be effected by the shutdown are social security, medicare, postal service, public safety, national security, and border patrols. 

"It does not have to happen, all of this is entirely preventable if House chooses to pass what the Senate has already done," said Obama.

The President went on to describe what a government shutdown actually means for Americans. He mentioned that NASA will be completely shut down, some government employees will be put on temporary leave without pay, and some will be working but with delayed paychecks. 

He reminded people that the U.S. government is America's biggest employer and that the shutdown threatens the economy of hundreds of thousands of households. 

Obama slammed Congress for not passing the budget due to ideological reasons. 

He stressed that no matter what Congress decides today, tomorrow the Affordable Care Act is moving forward. "Last November voters chose to not repel it," he said. 

"Keeping the people's government open is not a concession to me," he continued. "My hope and expectation is that Congress will choose to do the right thing. 

Reach Executive Producer Syuzanna Petrosyan hereFollow her on Twitter. 



 

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