Nita Lowey is frustrated, as are many House and Senate Democrats (and, presumably, their opponents across the aisle). As the government shutdown continues, with not much hope of it reopening anytime soon, and with the October 17 deadline for raising the debt ceiling growing dangerously closer, constituents are getting angry and are voicing their concerns to their representatives.
On October 9th, Lowey wrote a piece for LoHud, a website powered by The Journal News. In the article, she stressed her frustrations with the GOP: “If this government shutdown isn’t bad enough, Republicans are now determined to hold the full faith and credit of the United States hostage to their political agenda. What a disgrace. What a shame.” (http://www.lohud.com/article/20131009/OPINION/310090025/Community-View-Nita-Lowey-s-take-government-shutdown) She continues to blame the tired old Republican attack on Obamacare, noting that the government shutdown is affecting her constituents in more ways than one. “Pregnant women, children and seniors are at risk of losing access to vital nutritional assistance they depend on to eat every meal. New applications for Social Security checks can’t be processed. Children with cancer have been turned away from treatment at National Institutes of Health facilities. And taxpayers have a government that is far less efficient and responsive.” (http://www.lohud.com/article/20131009/OPINION/310090025/Community-View-Nita-Lowey-s-take-government-shutdown).
The same day, Lowey, along with Chris Van Hollen from Maryland and George Miller of California sent 30 letters to Republican House members to encourage them to pass a clean continuing resolution that has a temporary budget attached to it that has nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/10/09/dems-seek-gop-help-in-forcing-vote-on-clean-bill/) While many House Republicans initially voiced at least some level of support for the resolution, it has since gone nowhere. House Republicans came up with a proposal to extend the debt ceiling for a few weeks, and Obama rejected it. Now most negotiations are between Obama and the Senate Republicans, whom Obama apparently feels are easier to work with and are less beholden to the Tea Party. Because of this, the House Democrats, including Rep. Lowey, are largely sitting on the sidelines for the moment waiting to see if President Obama and the Senate Republicans can agree on a solution
Meanwhile, the House has been voting on continuing appropriations for a variety of different governmental functions. These resolutions are being introduced by the Republicans. For the most part, Lowey has been voting “Nay” towards these, perhaps exhibiting her “all or nothing” mentality; if no appropriations are passed, the Republicans will have to pass a resolution to open the government in its entirety. Congresswoman Lowey voted “Nay” to continue appropriations for Federal Aviation, as well as for the National Nuclear Security Administration
No press releases have been sent out on behalf of Nita Lowey because her staff is furloughed, so her ability to make her positions directly known has been compromised by the government shutdown.
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