Oct. 1, 2013, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens today issued the following statement blasting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for rejecting legislation that would fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and the national parks:
“Harry Reid has demonstrated contempt for America’s veterans and those who are visiting our national parks, and it is inexcusable. If the regular appropriations process had been followed by Congress, the government would have already been funded in a piecemeal fashion, an approach Reid now condemns. Apparently, the regular appropriations process is now a brand new ‘wacky idea from the Tea Party-driven Republicans.’
“Reid’s choice to opt for television visuals of people being ejected from our national parks, and his determination to hold veterans hostage by refusing to fund the basic promises that have been made to those who have risked it all to protect our nation’s freedom is abhorrent, and should be rejected by Americans of all political stripes.
“Reid’s refusal to even negotiate a pathway to opening the government shows that he lost touch not only with the American people, but any sense of his responsibility he has as the Senate Majority Leader. The people should demand that Senate Democrats force Harry Reid to fund the national parks and the Department of Veterans Affairs or else they will wear the same stain of shame and the permanent contempt of all those who have served our great nation.
“It is a disgrace that the Washington, D.C.-focused Reid would rather punish school children wanting to visit Yosemite and our nation’s heroic veterans in order to keep his political leverage. Senate Democrats need to get Reid under control.”
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at (703)383-0880 or at media@algnews.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Nathan Mehrens.
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