[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1416-E1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2013

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, here we are again wasting the people's 
time. But I want each and every one of my colleagues to know that we're 
wasting their money, too. Seventeen years ago, Republicans shut down 
the government for 27 days. In today's dollars, that cost American 
taxpayers $2 billion. For all the high-handed talk by my Republican 
friends about reducing deficits, they seem to have no problem with 
trying to score political points at the expense of hard-working 
American families.
  This afternoon, we're going to take up the same cut-and-bite bills 
that the House rejected last night. We find ourselves hoping for a 
different outcome by doing the same thing over and over again. I'd like 
to remind my friends that this is the definition of insanity. On top of 
that, Republicans are using the World War II Memorial closure and 
veterans to try to shame us into going along with their charade. I'm 
one of two World War II vets left in this place, and

[[Page E1417]]

I can tell you that the best way to honor and help this country's 
veterans is to get the whole government running again.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on my Republican colleagues to gather the 
collective will to do the work the people expect of them. They are 
putting the economic well-being of this country at severe risk, which 
is beneath contempt. Enough of acting like spoiled children: It's time 
to be adults and get this country moving again. The responsible choice 
here is to get together and pass a funding resolution for the ENTIRE 
government. The American people demand nothing less.

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