Military NWFL, Brace for Possible Government Shutdown

“Where I am very concerned, is in the military testing and military readiness that goes on in northwest Florida,” said Congressman Matt Gaetz – whose First District includes Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field and Eglin Air Force Base.

A member of both the House Armed Services and Budget Committee, Gaetz believes the possible shutdown is a symptom of a larger affliction on Capitol Hill when it comes to developing a spending plan.

“I want to see structural changes to how Washington budgets and spends money,” Gaetz said. “I think we need a tremendous amount of discipline placed on the Congress.”

Many residents in the Florida Panhandle – where the economy relies heavily on the region’s military bases – are watching Washington with the sequestration of 2013 fresh on their minds. That shutdown grounded the Blue Angels for the season after just two performances. On a larger, more personal scale, thousands of civilian employees missed paychecks.

“Government shutdowns don’t save money; they cost money. So we should do everything we can to avoid one, while at the same time not violating our principles,” said Gaetz.