NorCal Lawmakers Decry Federal Shutdown
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - California Representatives on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that a federal government shutdown will have an impact on state residents, though they continue to argue about the budget, preventing its passage. The federal government grinds to a halt Friday if there isn't a breakthrough on the budget gridlock in Washington.
Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier, of San Mateo, said her party has already shaved $33 billion from the federal budget, and she's worried about the impact on residents.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
"A government shutdown would just be an abomination," said Speier. "If we are responsible members of Congress then we won't let that happen."
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Dan Lungren, who represents the Sacramento Valley area, acknowledges the public will be inconvenienced, but said Congress can't keep kicking the can down the road when it comes to federal spending.
"Sure I'm concerned [about a shutdown] but I'm even more concerned that we have a series of trillion dollar deficits just staring us in the face," said Lungren.
A shutdown in California would mean the closure of national parks, and a halt to all non-essential federal government services such as processing tax returns, passport and visa requests, and federal home loan applications.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
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