Darrell Issa: What government shutdown? My staff is essential

[TomCADem]

Source: Politico

About 800,000 federal employees will have to stay home if the government shuts down, but Rep. Darrell Issa’s staff won’t be among them.

The California Republican said he’ll use his congressional prerogative to keep his House Oversight and Government Reform Committee staff at work. Congressional offices can declare that their employees are necessary to fulfill constitutional responsibilities — which can cover pretty much anything under the sun — and that’s what Issa (@DarrellIssa) tweeted that he’ll do.

"If gov't shuts down, we won't. I believe those who choose to come into work fall under my Constitutional arm. Accountability must continue.”

The Obama administration says about 800,000 federal employees would be affected by a government shutdown, which also would stall tax refunds and close national parks. Military personnel “will continue to earn money during this period of time, but given that we don’t have any money to pay out, they will not be paid, they will not receive their paychecks, until we have money again and Congress appropriates,” an administration official told reporters Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52668.html

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Well, there you have it. Even as the federal government is preparing to deal with the result of House Republican efforts to use the budget as leverage to roll back environmental laws, women's rights, etc., in the interest of small government, Darrell Issa continues to demand millions of dollars to fund his staff. Small government? For you maybe.

[Old and In the Way]

1. Running a political witch hunt is essential and important business to the taxpayers.

Are these Republicans really this stupid or do they all suffer from an acute lack of self-awareness?

[gateley]

2. Your staff may be essential, Issa, but believe me, you're not. nt

[freshwest]

3. Accountability to who? His corporate masters? Surely not to the people of the US. ______!!

[TomCADem]

4. TDMC - "Heritage Asks Issa To Reverse Decades Of Worker, Consumer, Environmental Laws"

You got that right. Darrell Issa who is leading the charge against higher fuel efficiency standards is ignoring the shutdown, and demanding that he have his full staff to serve his corporate masters.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/heritage-asks-issa-to-attack-decades-of-worker-consumer-and-environmental-protections.php

CREW got a hold of a bunch of letters to House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa from trade association, industry, and think tank leaders, which identify aspects of the federal regulatory regime that they believe Issa should investigate to make life and profits easier for businesses.

The one that most neatly reflects the priorities of the conservative movement comes from the Heritage Foundation, which is asking Issa to attack decades worth of regulatory and statutory worker and consumer protections.

[Joe Bacon]

5. Hey, Issa! My coworkers at Social Security are more essential than you!

We sure would like to be able to show up and work on Monday. We'd really like it if you and your fellow Teabaggers take out the crap you put in your appropriation bill that would furlough us for 20 days from now through the end of the fiscal year!

[deacon]

6. A homina homina homina ....a tangle web they weave. n/t