Dennis Ross Prepares for Shutdown, Calls for Keeping Benefits Flowing

With Washington gearing up for a continued fight over the federal budget, freshman Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross said on Wednesday that he was helping back legislation to ensure Social Security, Medicare, military pay and veterans' benefits would keep flowing even if a shutdown occurred. But he also insisted President Barack Obama was to blame if a federal shutdown did occur.

It is clear that this president seems intent on vilifying private enterprise and scaring seniors, rather than leading, said Ross. The fact of the matter is, if seniors or servicemen and women do not get paid, it will be only because the president chose not to pay them. The American Treasury takes in more than enough money from tax revenue monthly to pay Social Security, Medicare, essential defense, interest on our debt, and more. This president needs to understand that American taxpayers were serious in November when they said enough is enough.