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Debt Ceiling Bill Would Hurt Chautauqua County

Editor's Corner

To The Reader’s Forum:

I am writing to express my dismay with Congressman Nick Langworthy’s recent vote on the so-called “Limit, Save, Grow Act.” With one vote in favor of this bill, Rep. Langworthy chose to support 22% reductions resulting in the following: Fewer Meals on Wheels for seniors and disabled residents of Chautauqua County (currently approximately 320 residents not only get fed but also get emotional support and connection to the community through this valued service); fewer outpatient services for our 5,000 veterans with the potential for local clinic closings; less food for our low-income, women, infants and children; less assistance for the working poor who rely on day care services; less assistance for the retired and disabled on Social Security due to severe staff cuts; less help for disabled children in our schools; less money for preschool programs; fewer children getting fed in our schools, resulting in malnutrition and difficulty in focusing on school work; less opportunities for job training to help keep our youth here; less money for infrastructure (including $286 million less in transit and highway funds for New York state as a whole), despite former President Trump advocating for more infrastructure funding during his tenure as President; elimination of recently-hired irs staff whose presence has shortened wait times for taxpayers and businesses to get assistance and responses to their concerns.

It is the job of Congress to pass a budget, and to make sure the bills are paid. One does not buy a house, car and other items on a credit card, then decide that the bills are too high, and refuse to pay them. And neither does the United States of America. Unlike his predecessors, like Congressman Amo Houghton and former State Senator Jess Present, Rep. Langworthy has demonstrated a disregard for his constituents. Considering Chautauqua County’s 17% poverty rate, our aging population, and our veterans, this means that most of our friends and neighbors will have direct negative impacts from this one vote that Rep. Langworthy made “on our behalf.” It appears that Rep. Langworthy is more interested in supporting his political party than serving his constituents. I strongly urge Chautauqua County voters to contact Rep. Langworthy and express your concerns with his actions, and to seek a better representative next election who will actually work for the people of Chautauqua County.

Fredonia

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