Eshoo: Shutdown Hurting Tech Industry

The ongoing government shutdown - which on Monday entered its second week - threatens to hit Silicon Valley where it hurts if it goes on much longer, Environment  & Energy Publishing reports.

The report quotes members of both sides of the partisan divide - including Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Menlo Park) - who acknowledge that government-funded research that's been halted under the shutdown could imperil an industry that defines Silicon Valley's cultural identity and have far-reaching implications that reach well beyond the 408 and 650 area codes.  

"There's a clear and important federal role that's stopped" since the government shutdown, Eshoo told the publication.  

The impact of cuts to science-related agencies such as NASA and the USGA, both of whom have significant Silicon Valley footprints (NASA in Mountain View and the USGS in Menlo Park) may not be grabbing headlines the way the National Park and a World War II veteran's memorial have, the publication says.

But it's affect on scientific research "promises to kick in on a slower time scale and with less easily communicated consequences for many Americans," according to the report.

"It's so difficult to explain to people why this is detrimental to the country, to scientific research, but it clearly is," Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), a member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, told the publication.

"Those who do research understand what's going on, that this is a setback."   

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), a  staunchly conservative senior Science Committee member, echoed those sentiments, telling the publication that the shutdown is "going to be disruptive to a lot of things, including scientific research."