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WASHINGTON — A group of about 90 elderly veterans flew here from Chicago's Midway Airport on Wednesday and visited the National World War II Memorial — shutdown be darned.
On Tuesday, the memorial on the National Mall became the symbol of the shutdown as vets who arrived on what are called "Honor Flights" ignored the barricades set up to try to shutter the outdoor tribute to the 16 million who served in World War II.
The big budget standoff continues in Washington, but there is some news out of the Beltway: The number of local congressmen who aren't accepting pay until the fight is over is now at four.
As of the moment, two Democrats and two Republicans from the Chicago area have put out statements or otherwise confirmed that they'll do without while much of the federal government remains shut in a fight over Obamacare and related matters.
Two Illinois House members have plans for the salary they will earn during the government shutdown — and it's not to keep the funds.
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL,13) says he will donate his salary to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) announced he will be donating his pay earned during the government shutdown to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
“Because of a small group of intransigent Tea Party extremists, Congress has failed to pass a budget and shutdown the government – a reckless action which could have a devastating impact on our still struggling economy,” said Foster. “Until Congress ends this irresponsible shutdown, I will donate my pay to charity.”
Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) released the following statement on the federal government shutdown:
“The hardworking people of the 11th Congressional District are tired of this kind of brinksmanship, and so am I. It’s time to end the political grandstanding and get to work to reach an agreement.
If Congress fails to reach a budget agreement by Monday, the federal government will shut down.
Government works best when both sides come together to produce legislation that is supported by the middle – but unfortunately the process has been hijacked by a small group of extremists in the Republican Party. With just one day left to avoid a government shutdown, it’s time to end the political posturing and get to work.
Imagine if Congress mandated that an arbitrary number of jail cells be filled with prisoners -- regardless of the crime rate. Authorities would be required to incarcerate people, no matter the circumstances or the affront to human rights. That's basically the state of immigration detention in the U.S.
Imagine if a law enforcement agency insisted on incarcerating a certain number of prisoners, every day, every year, regardless of how many of those prisoners actually needed to be there; what the actual crime rate was; and whether there was another, cheaper way to keep track of them.
Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) and Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) sent a letter signed by 63 of their colleagues to President Obama urging him to remove a FY15 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security that mandates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have over thirty thousand immigrants in detention at all times. The letter emphasizes that in an era of fiscal restraint, this mandate undermines the ability of ICE to exercise discretion and embrace more cost-effective alternatives to detention.
Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) voted against H.J. Res. 59, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution.
“I am very concerned that the stopgap measure introduced by House Republicans indicates they are more interested in political posturing than passing workable legislation,” said Foster.