The looming federal government shutdown at midnight could leave an eastern Iowa man stranded a long way from home. Joe Reinholz is on a trip with other members of the Rock Island Arsenal in San Antonio, Texas. He says their work is critical to the U.S. military missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
“We inspect weapons, we inspect all the equipment like tanks, trucks, you name it,” Reinholz said. That work would come to halt if the White House and House Republicans fail to reach a compromise budget deal. “Nobody likes to stop in the middle of what they’re doing and say, oops, sorry, we can’t do this because our folks can’t make a decision,” Reinholz said.
The Johnson County resident could potentially lose out on a lot of money as well if he’s forced to suspend the trip. “I am going to end up getting a phone call telling me to go on or to pack my stuff and find a flight to get us all home,” Reinholz said. Reinholz served 22 years in the U.S. Army.
By Mark Carlson, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids
