Rep. Driskell offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 159.

            A resolution to urge the Congress of the United States to continue funding the federal government and avoid a lapse in federal operations.

            Whereas, On October 1, 2015, the federal government will no longer have the funding necessary to operate a fully functioning government if Congress fails to authorize funding. The United States has long been a beacon of democracy for the world, and yet, the partial shutdown of the federal government is the latest fiscal failure in a seemingly endless game of budgetary brinkmanship that places the well-being of our nation in jeopardy and calls into question our standing as global leaders; and

            Whereas, A shutdown of the federal government harms hundreds of thousands of individuals who rely on federal funding for their well-being. During the 2013 shutdown, an estimated 800,000 federal workers were temporarily laid off, approximately 40 percent of the federal workforce. While some workers in the past have been paid for their furloughed time, workers who rely on federal contracts may be laid off or furloughed without pay. These workers rely on these paychecks to pay their rent and mortgages, pay bills, and support their spouse and children. When the federal budget is held hostage, these workers and their families are held hostage as well; and

Whereas, Such fiscal irresponsibility has real consequences for everyday Americans. A partial government shutdown prevents new applications for essential services from programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran Affairs from being processed. A shutdown also closes our national parks and barricades our national monuments, preventing American citizens and global travelers from exploring our nation's great history. Among the casualties of a budget shutdown are Michigan's hard-working families, who face a shutoff of services for vulnerable adults and children as well as termination for federally-reliant workers; and

            Whereas, The partial shutdown of the U.S. government is economically detrimental. In the last federal shutdown, it was estimated that the funding lapse resulted in an approximate 0.2 percentage point drop in gross domestic product every week that the funding crisis persisted. A partial closure of the federal government also suspends application processing for federal loans for rural communities, small businesses, and home buyers. Moreover, allowing a partial shutdown of the federal government shakes consumer and business confidence and creates a negative disposition for investors; and

            Whereas, Congressional members and leadership must end their political posturing and ensure the federal government continues to fully function without interruption. Holding the federal budget hostage over a few small appropriations is irresponsible and is not in the best interest of the country and the constituencies to which the members of Congress are responsible; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Congress of the United States to continue funding the federal government and avoid a lapse in federal operations; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.