Hoffa Says Extremist Republicans Should Be Ashamed

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union blasted extremist House Republicans today for endangering the U.S. economy and threatening the livelihood of millions of public and private sector workers with a possible government shutdown.

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"I'm outraged that radical GOP lawmakers want to impose their agenda instead of ensuring hardworking Americans can provide for their families," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Many people are still struggling to find work amid a weak economy, yet House Republicans are employing the 'slash and burn' strategy. They lost and Obamacare is about to become the law of the land. So now they want to burn the house down because they didn't get their way. Well, that's not how democracy works."

A government shutdown will endanger the entire U.S. economy and have lingering disastrous effects. An estimated 800,000 federal employees would be furloughed, costing the already weak economy about $1 billion in lost pay alone, economists say. Businesses also will cut back or stop operations. A lengthy shutdown could cause significant economic damage, costing as much as $55 billion.

"That's a devastating impact just to score political points and raise some profiles before upcoming elections," Hoffa said. "It's shameful. No wonder the American people are fed up with politics. It's time for House Republicans to show some class, acknowledge they lost and get back to work."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including several thousand federal workers. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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