FLORIDA – Representative Randy Fine and Putnam County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach spoke at a press conference in Palatka about the federal government shutdown’s impact on local residents, focusing on flood insurance and federal program funding.
Fine criticized Democrats for tying government reopening to funding healthcare for illegal immigrants.
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“Democrats said they would only vote to keep the government open if we were willing to re-access Medicaid and health insurance for illegal immigrants,” he said.
RELATED: FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to ‘illegal immigrants’
During the press conference, Fine warned that a major consequence of the shutdown is that it is currently illegal to buy or renew federal flood insurance, which would also make buying and selling homes difficult.
“If your deadline has come up, you can’t be covered,” Fine said.
He also highlighted FEMA’s role in flood insurance.
“If the storm shows up and your house gets destroyed, those people are going without insurance, even though they want to do the right thing,” Fine said.
MORE: National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire Tuesday, halting new policies and some home loans
Addressing pay during the shutdown, Fine announced he will ask that his pay be withheld until the government reopens.
“Our soldiers are working, but they don’t get paid because Democrats have said they’d rather illegal immigrants get free health insurance,” he said, urging Democrats to do the same.
Sheriff DeLoach explained how the shutdown affects local law enforcement efforts.
“At the sheriff’s office, we have assets assigned to FBI and DEA task forces funded through federal initiatives,” he said. “Without those dollars coming in, all of that work effectively comes to a halt.”