Barbara Boxer: “Here is what has happened because of this 16-day shutdown. Here is what has happened because that shutdown was paired…”

“Here is what has happened because of this 16-day shutdown. Here is what has happened because that shutdown was paired with a flirtation with a default. The S&P has cut the annualized U.S. growth view closer to 2% from 3%. . . . That is a percentage point off growth. This is what Bloomberg is reporting. The ratings agency--which recognizes the Senate deal will be approved-- So this is after they recognize the deal will be approved. And thank God it looks as though it will be. says that the shutdown has taken-- Mr. President, hear this: $24 billion out of the economy and cut 0.6% off of yearly fourth quarter GDP growth. This is what is so important, and I hope everyone within the sound of my voice hears this: ``If people are afraid that the government policy brinksmanship will resurface again, and with it the risk of another shutdown or worse, they'll-- The people will-- remain afraid to open up their checkbooks. That points to another Humbug holiday season,'' S&P wrote in a release. They also said the impact of the debt ceiling is getting worse by the day for the U.S. economy. There is a full release, and I have put that in the Record. To speak in layman's terms, what the economists are saying is this shutdown and this flirtation with a default has taken a huge bite out of our economy--a huge bite. Why did we face it? Because some folks do not like the health care reform act. It is their total right not to like it. It is their total right not to love it.…”