Costello Urges No Government Shutdown

Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) is among a group of first-term members of Congress who have written a letter opposing a government shutdown.

Costello and ten other Republican freshmen authored a “Dear Colleague” letter Wednesday, arguing that Congressional Republicans shouldn’t force a confrontation that would lead to a shutdown.

In a statement on his website, Costello recalled the hardships caused by the 2013 shutdown and urged colleagues to not make the same mistake again.

“I came to Congress because I wanted to work to keep our country and economy moving forward,” The Congressman said in the announcement.

“That is why I will not use the threat of a government shutdown to fight political battles. Anything that keeps Americans out of work, threatens to delay necessary benefits for our veterans, and weakens our economy is not a valuable negotiating tool.”