[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 136 (Friday, October 4, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SETTING ASIDE POLITICS AND PUTTING NEEDS OF CONSTITUENTS FIRST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, it is day four and I am just amazed that 
this government shutdown has been allowed to continue even though we 
have the votes to end it right now. A bipartisan majority of this House 
supports the Senate-passed so-called ``clean continuing resolution,'' 
but for some reason Speaker Boehner won't allow a vote. People back 
home in Oregon and across the United States don't understand this. The 
majority of the House, a majority of the Senate, and the President 
agree on a deal that would reopen the government, but it is not going 
to happen because the Speaker won't allow a vote.
  This is hurting our constituents. One of mine wrote about her 
family's effort to save enough money for a house, but she is on 
indefinite furlough, unpaid time that she didn't ask for, didn't 
deserve and can't afford. Another had planned a trip to visit the Grand 
Canyon; but after making reservations and buying tickets, the park 
won't be open and her family's trip will be ruined. Someone else wrote 
about her pregnant daughter who relies on WIC and won't receive the 
nutrition assistance she needs.
  Yesterday, a volunteer at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge 
said that years of conservation and restoration work could be set back 
because there will be no staff on duty to manage the water levels. 
Researchers at our State's universities, like Oregon State University, 
had to put projects on hold. They have been unable to collaborate with 
Federal agencies, important deadlines are being missed, new grant 
applications aren't being processed.
  These are just a few of the stories I am hearing. The shutdown hasn't 
just affected one agency or one constituency. It has affected everyone 
who relies on a functioning Federal Government. And, Mr. Speaker, it is 
chipping away at what is left of the respect for this institution. We 
can't afford to use any more precious time on piecemeal bills that we 
know won't go anywhere. It is time to set aside the politics and put 
the needs of our constituents first.
  Mr. Speaker, I understand, as does America, that you and some of your 
Members do not support the Affordable Care Act. We understand that. We 
got that message. But it passed both Chambers, was signed into law, and 
was upheld by the Supreme Court.
  Well, Mr. Speaker, I don't like the across-the-board cuts caused by 
sequestration. They are harming my district and this country, and I 
will continue to fight them. Yet I am ready now to vote for the clean 
continuing resolution that contains those cuts. Why? Because it is 
critical to get the government open now. And every indication is that a 
majority of this Chamber will do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, let us reopen the Federal Government. We can do it 
today. Mr. Speaker, please let us vote.

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