[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 126 (Monday, September 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2014

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                               speech of

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2013

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I oppose this flawed continuing resolution, 
H.J. Res. 59. As the Congress lurches from self-imposed crisis to self-
imposed crisis, it is easy to understand why members of the public 
shake their heads in disgust at the inability of the government to do 
the important work of America to help Americans.
  Today we go through another farce--the 43rd time we will vote to stop 
the Affordable Care Act. It's another gimmick. It's another charade to 
appease the Tea Party.
  This bill takes a slightly different tack than the others that have 
tried to kill health care reform. The attempt to defund Obamacare is 
tied to the legislation that would fund the federal government. On 
October 1st, the government will shut down if a budget is not passed 
before then.
  One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said, ``We've got 
to play the game.'' Running our country is not a game. Shutting down 
the government is not a game. It's the height of irresponsibility.
  This bill will not become law, I am very sure. The House Republicans 
know that this is a terrible idea, but they are proceeding with it 
evidently with the expectation it will fail. But they seem not to care 
that shutting down the government puts in jeopardy our servicemembers, 
our veterans, those who are experiencing hard times as our economy is 
still in the midst of recovery. It puts children's health care in 
peril. Talk about absurdity.
  Once again the House Republicans have decided to put party ideology 
above the needs of the American people. Once again the House 
Republicans have made senseless accommodations to the callous and 
vociferous shouting of those who simply don't care how devastating 
shutting down the government is to Americans.
  The radical games need to stop. We have played them over and over 
again. Playing with American lives is not what a responsible government 
does.

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