[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 135 (Thursday, October 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1424-E1425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2013

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged to hear my Republican 
colleagues stand in support of the District of Columbia's ability to 
expend its own local funds. I agree. As a member representing a 
district that neighbors DC, I have been a long-time supporter of budget 
autonomy for our nation's capital. It should be able to spend its local 
dollars without waiting for approval from this Congress. I hope my 
colleagues will remember this debate and work towards a long-term 
legislative fix for this issue.
  However, we have a way to solve the immediate problem for the 
District of Columbia

[[Page E1425]]

today. If we take up the Senate's clean continuing resolution, we can 
send it to the President for his signature tonight, giving DC the 
necessary authority and letting those federal employee residents of DC 
and all our Congressional districts go back to work tomorrow. We could 
reopen the National Institutes of Health, our national parks, and the 
Veterans Administration. And we could ensure that all Americans have 
access to the government services they need. I call on my colleagues to 
bring up the clean CR and end this shut down today.

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