[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15510-15511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SHUTDOWN CONSEQUENCES FOR NEVADA

  (Mr. HORSFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to give credit 
where

[[Page 15511]]

credit is due and to commend a Republican who understands the negative 
consequences of this shutdown, and he is the Governor from my home 
State of Nevada, Governor Brian Sandoval.
  Yesterday, he told the Las Vegas Sun that Nevada is struggling 
because of this ongoing shutdown. He said that Nevadans are going to 
``see some catastrophic issues going on for the State'' if the shutdown 
continues.
  The Sun reported that 362,000 food stamp recipients will see benefits 
end on November 1 as State employees who administer the program face 
potential furloughs. In addition, 425,000 women, infants, and children 
would be cut from food assistance rolls. Rape crisis call centers may 
be closed. Unemployment claims will not be processed.
  Republicans in Congress need to recognize what's happening in their 
States. Listen to your constituents. Listen to your State legislators 
and Governors.
  This shutdown needs to end, and it needs to end now.

                                       Office of the Governor,

                                   Las Vegas, NV, October 8, 2013.
     Hon. Harry Reid,
     U.S. Senator,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Dean Heller,
     U.S. Senator,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Joe Heck,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Dina Titus,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mark Amodei,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Steven Horsford,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators and Congressmen: Your service to our state is 
     vitally important, and I want to thank you for your work and 
     dedication. I know we all put Nevada first and understand how 
     special and unique our great state is. We have all worked 
     together to move our state forward, and I will always be 
     grateful for your willingness to put partisanship aside when 
     it comes to Nevada.
       I feel compelled to write all of you to express my deep 
     concern with the shutdown of the federal government and its 
     potential impacts on our state. This shutdown impacts how the 
     state operates, the services we are able to provide, and has 
     the potential to set our state back when it comes to economic 
     recovery. In the most basic of terms, this is about ensuring 
     people are fed, houses are kept, and jobs are available.
       As you are aware, Nevada was the last state to emerge from 
     the great recession. While we have made much progress since 
     the height of the recession, our unemployment rate still 
     remains above the national average, and our housing market 
     has not fully recovered. And while Nevada's economy is once 
     again expanding, a prolonged federal shutdown undermines 
     consumer confidence and threatens economic growth nationally. 
     Either of these outcomes endangers the tourism industry that 
     is so important to our state.
       Job creation and getting Nevadans working again has been my 
     greatest priority since coming to office, and I know, as 
     members of the federal delegation, it has been a priority of 
     yours as well. However, I am concerned that we may be forced 
     to take steps backwards as the impacts of this shutdown 
     unfold on the economy. While we do not know the extent of the 
     impact, we know even in the best of times the economic impact 
     of a government shutdown is felt.
       I am also deeply concerned about the possibility of a 
     disruption in services to our state's neediest. Whether it is 
     child nutrition programs, SNAP benefits, unemployment 
     insurance, or dozens of other programs, this disruption in 
     service undermines the economic and nutritional security of 
     Nevadans. Those who are struggling may go hungry or be unable 
     to pay their rent or mortgage. These services are designed to 
     help those who have fallen on the hardest of times. A 
     disruption to these services will be devastating for some.
       The state has the ability to cover the cost of some 
     federally funded programs during the shutdown by temporarily 
     allocating money that has been set aside for other purposes. 
     However, we have no assurances that the federal government 
     will reimburse Nevada for any costs that it assumes during 
     the shutdown. It is difficult to make informed choices on how 
     to proceed absent swift action from the federal government to 
     provide clear directions regarding which programs will be 
     made whole and which will not. At a very minimum, the federal 
     government needs to address this uncertainty so the state can 
     plan financially and manage its affairs responsibly.
       The State of Nevada cannot be expected to assume the costs 
     of federal programs. We built our budget in good faith with 
     reasonable assurances regarding federal funding levels. To 
     that end, I have included a summary of the shutdown's impact 
     on the people of Nevada. I implore each of you to work 
     together to resolve the issues in Washington and to honor the 
     federal commitment to Nevada.
       Thank you for your attention to this most important matter. 
     As always, I am available to each of you should the need 
     arise to discuss this further.
           Sincere regards,
                                                   Brian Sandoval,
     Governor.

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