Hearing to highlight broad effects of shutdown

[October 11, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A celebrity Alaska fisherman, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and others are telling Congress the government shutdown is hurting the nation's economy.

They're set to testify Friday before the Senate Commerce Committee. The committee is trying to show the effects of the government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1.

Witnesses include one of the stars of Discovery Channel's series "Deadliest Catch," Keith Colburn. Also on hand are the chairwoman of the NTSB, Deborah Hersman, and the president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Marion Blakey.

Since the government shutdown began, some 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed, resulting in the closure of many government facilities. Most of the 350,000 Defense Department workers furloughed are being brought back.

[Associated Press; By HENRY C. JACKSON]

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