WASHINGTON, D.C.
– As a potential shutdown of the federal government looms, Senator Lisa
Murkowski is urging her Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle: “Forget
the talking points and get the job done.”
“Over 17,000 Alaskans may be kept
from doing the most basic function: Waking up and going to work,” Murkowski
said. “While it’s crucial for the government to get its spending under
control, our inability to reach a deal shouldn’t keep our troops or Bureau of
Land Management employees from grocery money, rent or their tax returns.
Growing our economy is a must, but I don’t know how withholding paychecks and
government services from Americans helps that in the least.”
Congress has yet to agree on a
budget for the Fiscal Year 2011 – which began on October 1, 2010 – issuing 6
Continuing Resolutions to keep the government working at 2010 levels until the
impasse is resolved. The government has been running under Continuing
Resolutions since December and unless an agreement is reached, the current
resolution expires Friday at Midnight.
“Whether it’s a long-term
solution or a short-term extension, some budget agreement must be made,”
Murkowski continued. “We need to get beyond the 2011 argument and prepare to
make tough decisions for the 2012 budget and beyond.”
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