[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 8, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ECONOMIC HARM OF THE SHUTDOWN
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this Republican shutdown and their threats
not to pay America's bills are not only reckless, but they're playing
with economic fire. Their irresponsibility is burning the American
people.
There are currently more than 800,000 Federal employees out of work,
with thousands already filing for unemployment benefits because they've
been furloughed by the GOP shutdown. These are working men and women
who have to pay their bills, their mortgages, their car loans.
The Republican shutdown is harming the whole economy. The Dow Jones
Industrial Average went down another 136 points yesterday and has been
down nearly 200 points during the course of this Republican shutdown.
It is currently at its lowest levels in a month.
Global markets continue to slide due to the uncertainty that the
Republican shutdown has caused. According to news reports, it has
already cost us over $2 billion because of the shutdown, and it is
hurting U.S. trade because inspections of imports and applications for
exports can't be cleared by agencies like the EPA due to the fact that
the staff in charge has been furloughed.
Mr. Speaker, it is well over time to bring up a clean continuing
resolution for a vote. End this needless Republican shutdown, which is
not only hurting the American people, but the entire economy.
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