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NARFE Urges Congress to Stop Playing Politicsand Raise the Debt Ceiling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Jessica Klement
October 14, 2013 703-838-7760
  jklement@narfe.org


As the United States nears the debt-ceiling deadline, and the government shutdown persists, Joseph A. Beaudoin, president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), released the following statement:

“No one believed Congress would let the country fall into the pit of sequestration. Less than a year later, no one believed Congress would actually shut down the government, yet here we are in the third week of the government shutdown.

“This irresponsible track record gives us reason to fear that Congress will do nothing to prevent the shutdown of America’s economy on October 17 when the debt ceiling is reached. On behalf of America’s five million active and retired federal workers and every American we are proud to serve, we insist that Congress raise the debt limit immediately.

“If members of Congress again fail to stop playing politics and do what’s right for the country, the consequences will ripple worldwide. Failure to raise the debt limit would prevent the United States government from meeting its financial obligations on time, including payment of federal retirement annuities and Social Security benefits. Denying seniors their primary income would be nothing short of devastating.  Many live check to check and simply cannot afford a delay of their benefits. Without money to pay for food or medical care, the basic health of many seniors would be put at risk. 

“Without delay, Congress must vote to raise the debt limit and reopen the government. The strength of our nation depends on it.”

Click here to read a letter from NARFE President Beaudoin to Congress.

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The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), one of America’s oldest and largest associations, was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the retirement interests of nearly five million current and future federal annuitants, spouses and survivors.