Congresswoman Fudge Signs a Discharge Petition to Reopen the Government

WASHINGTON, DC- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement after signing a discharge petition to compel House Majority Leadership to allow a vote on the Senate-passed Continuing Resolution:

“Speaker Boehner could have ended the federal government shutdown by scheduling a vote on the Senate-passed resolution to fully fund all government operations.  The Senate resolution already reflects compromise, using the lower Republican number for overall funding.  Since Speaker Boehner has not advanced the Senate measure, I have joined my colleagues and signed a petition that encourages bipartisan action on the House floor,” said Congresswoman Fudge.

“The shutdown continues to disrupt lives and cause economic hardship in my district and throughout the state of Ohio.  To date, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Northeast Ohio has lost $1.5 million in visitor spending due to the government shutdown.  Summit County’s thirteen Head Start locations will discontinue preschool for 1,517 children next month if this crisis continues any longer.  In addition, 6,000 furloughed federal workers in Ohio had to apply for unemployment benefits, hoping to continue to make ends meet.  

“This petition brings us closer to reopening the government, but my Republican colleagues must work with us to bring a vote to the floor of the House.”

Discharge petitions have proven successful in the past.  According to a Congressional Research Service study, seven discharge petitions have received 218 signatures over the last 30 years, resulting in votes by the full House.  Twelve measures were allowed to be brought to the House floor even before the discharge petition reached the full 218 signatures.

Congresswoman Fudge stated: “Many of my Republican colleagues have said they would support the Senate measure, so I hope they will use this opportunity to do the right thing by signing the petition, and voting yes on the clean continuing resolution.  We must reopen our government.”

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