On Wednesday, the government
shutdown ended after the Senate and the House of Representatives were finally
able to come to agreement. With the debt ceiling approaching on Thursday, the
agreement came at just the right time (Lillis). Representative John Lewis
released this statement regarding his feelings towards the government shutdown,
“It was a shame and a disgrace that the government of the most powerful
nation on earth was recklessly shutdown and allowed to slip perilously close to
default” (John Lewis). Ever since the beginning of the shutdown, Lewis had been
a critic, arguing that the government was failing the people it was supposed to
protect. Although crisis was averted with the agreement to raise the debt
ceiling, Lewis believes that a good amount of damage has already been done,
“Today Standards and Poors released a report estimating $24 billion in damage
to our economy from this unnecessary crisis. Many federal workers, small
businesses and institutions, schools, families, and children have
suffered. We may never fully understand the anguish and uncertainty they
experienced, not knowing when they would get paid or when they would receive
the services they should expect as citizens. We must never let this
happen again. It is irresponsible to govern from crisis to crisis” (John
Lewis). Mr. Lewis also reiterated his belief that government needs to focus on
everyone and not the few, which is why he feels the government shutdown.
During the shutdown, Representative
Lewis was arrested for his actions at a protest for immigration reform. This
past week, Mr. Lewis was in the news again for supporting another immigration
protest. A group of activists protesting immigration reform crossed the U.S.
border into Mexico and then re-entered, knowing that they would be detained.
The group of about 30 was detained, and 12 were released after 2 weeks in
custody. The remaining activists are still being detained and are trying to
show credible fear so that they can be granted asylum. This simply means that
if they are released into Mexico, they will face injury or death. Mr. Lewis was
one of a few members of Congress who wrote a letter and sent his support to the
activists. This continues the support that Mr. Lewis has shown for immigration
reform, including the protest last week. (Alexander)
With this, Representative
Lewis is filling out the partisan role that members of Congress have to act.
Mr. Lewis is a Democrat and one of the main platforms of the Democratic Party includes
immigration reform. In his position as a whip, it is important for
Representative Lewis to show support for party platforms. Mr. Lewis was also
extremely critical of the Republican members of Congress during the government
shutdown, because he felt that they were not willing to come to a fair
agreement. This also shows Mr. Lewis in the partisan role, as he is voicing his
opinion of the Republican party and promoting the idea that they are not doing
their jobs and because of this, the government shutdown happened, which caused
hardships for many Americans. In doing this, Mr. Lewis also promoted the
Democratic party, showing the American people that they were willing to come to
an agreement to avoid the government shutdown. With this, Representative Lewis
was attempted to promote the collective of the Democratic party, not just
himself, which is a part of playing the partisan role.
Sources
1.
John
Lewis; http://johnlewis.house.gov/press-release/rep-john-lewis-end-government-shutdown
2.
Alexander,
Shelby; http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14260/the-journey-to-bringthemhome-continues
3.
Lillis,
Mike; http://thehill.com/homenews/house/328947-dems-cheer-debt-deal-but-worry-about-next-round
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