Associations urge Congress to avoid shutdown, default A total of 251 local, state and national business groups sent a letter to Congress Friday pleading with lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown and subsequent default, saying such a move could harm the nation's economy. In the letter, the organizations said they "fully appreciate the importance of restraining federal spending," but the U.S. government needs to continue to keep running amid the debate. "It is not in the best interest of the employers, employees or the American people to risk a government shutdown that will be economically disruptive and create even more uncertainties for the U.S. economy," they wrote.… Read More