Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz joined his Senate colleagues in voting to get us closer to a deal that will keep the government from shutting down.

“A government shutdown would harm the people of Hawai‘i, and it is irresponsible for unbending and intransigent Tea Party Republicans to continue to hold our economy hostage so that they can get their way,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “Enough is enough. While the Continuing Resolution is not perfect, it will keep the government from shutting down. We must now work to pass a budget that removes damaging sequestration cuts and represents the priorities of working families.”

In Hawaii, a government shutdown could:

• Delay new seniors and veterans from receiving benefits and payments, including Social Security.
• Furlough employees of federal contractors and stop payments on new contracts.
• Put 25,000 federal employees out of work.
• Weaken the Centers for Disease Control’s ability to protect public health.
• Result in the closure of all national parks, museums, and monuments, including the USS Arizona Memorial.
• Delay military pay.
• Halt applications for passports and visas, weakening tourism.
• Shut down financial support for small businesses.
• Close Head Start centers, hurting our youngest students and their families.
• Shake consumer confidence nationally and internationally.