During the anniversary of the federal government shutdown this week and before tonight’s debate between Mike Bishop and Eric Schertzing, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is highlighting how Mike Bishop twice shut down the government in Lansing. Bishop would only make Washington worse and his record makes it clear he would join his leadership in the reckless shutdown that took a hammer to the Michigan economy.
Today’s example: the federal government shutdown from Mike Bishop’s leadership threatened Head Start for Michigan’s children. After twice shutting down the government in Lansing, Bishop can’t be trusted to prevent another government shutdown.
“When Mike Bishop led the Michigan Senate Republicans, he shut the government down twice, holding the entire state hostage until he got his way,” said Brandon Lorenz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “With last year’s government shutdown that put Head Start at risk and cost the economy $24 billion dollars, Michigan voters have every reason not to reward another politician like Mike Bishop who put his own agenda ahead of results.”
BACKGROUND:
Bishop Presided Over Two Government Shutdowns in Michigan Senate. In 2014 the Huffington Post reported: “Bishop has been blamed by many for a part in helping cause Michigan’s brief government shutdowns in 2007 and 2009 under former governor Jennifer Granholm (D).” [Huffington Post, 4/07/14]
Federal Government Shutdown Threatened Michigan Head Start. In 2013, WILX reported: “Head Start programs in Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties may have their days numbered because of the shutdown. Director Ivan Love says he got an e-mail Tuesday saying that this week’s payment would be only made to programs that are essential; but didn’t indicate if the Head Start program would be one of them.”[WILX, 10/2/13]
- Headline: Gov. Shutdown To Impact Michigan Kids [WILX, 10/2/13]
Federal Government Shutdown Took $24 Billion Out of the Economy. “The shutdown also forced non-government business losses, temporary layoffs and other interruptions in business spending. The full extent of the damage won’t be known for some time. Economists at Standard & Poor’s estimate the total cost at about $24 billion, or a 0.6 percent GDP haircut. Others guess it’s about half that. Either way, it’s a heavy price to pay.” [NBC News, 10/17/13]