[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 9, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MR. SPEAKER, LET YOUR PEOPLE GO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Speier) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I have a very simple message: let your 
people go.
  The American people are very frustrated by what we are doing here. 
They want us to end this shutdown. In fact, some 70 percent of them do 
not like the way you or the Republican majority is handling this 
crisis. So, Mr. Speaker, if you will just let your people go and allow 
us to bring a clean continuing resolution to the floor, we can end 
this. Despite your claims to the contrary, it is clear to everyone that 
we have at least 17 votes required from your side of the aisle to pass 
the continuing resolution. So, Mr. Speaker, why don't you just let your 
people go?
  I have a simple question for you: If you think to the contrary that 
their votes are not there, then why not put your cards on the table and 
allow a vote?
  The American people cannot afford more rounds of betting their 
economic futures on politicians' betting on a pair and thinking they 
have a full house. The American people think it's time to call your 
bluff. Mr. Speaker, let your people go.
  We can reopen the World War II Memorial and the VA today. We can 
ensure that all military families receive death benefits and can travel 
to Dover Air Force Base to receive their loved ones' remains. We can 
end what Senators on the other side of the aisle have declared 
``shameful and embarrassing.''
  We can end this today, Mr. Speaker, if you let your people go.
  Holding back on a vote prevents the opening of lifesaving clinical 
trials at the NIH. It prevents the opening of national parks and 
museums for use by families everywhere. The shutdown is costing 
taxpayers $12.5 million each and every hour you refuse to vote, and it 
is costing the American people already $2.5 billion.
  Don't listen to me. Listen to your own caucus Members: Enough is 
enough, said one Republican in the House. Let's get on with the 
business we were sent to do.
  Another Republican agreed with him: The politics should be over, he 
said. It's time to legislate.
  Another said: I'd vote for a clean CR because I don't think this 
strategy is working.
  Many more echo these sentiments, Mr. Speaker: let your people go. 
Instead, you seem to be listening to a small faction in your caucus 
that says they want to ``win at any cost.'' They say they won't be 
disrespected and that they need to get something out of this, but they 
don't know what it is.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will see what is clear to everyone around the 
world who is watching this spectacle: there are no winners. Mr. 
Speaker, let your people go.
  It's blackmail to shut down the government because you don't like the 
Affordable Care Act. Mr. Speaker, listen to those blunt assessments 
from your own caucus who call the followers of this strategy ``lemmings 
with suicide vests.''
  Traditional allies of the GOP, like the Chamber of Commerce, have 
said this is ``not in the best interest of the U.S. business 
community.''
  The Wall Street Journal has called it a kamikaze mission, and in 
fact, in their editorial headline, they said: Are the Republicans nuts?
  Another Republican Senator said: This strategy isn't good for 
America.
  This last comment really says it best, that this is not good for 
America. Mr. Speaker, let your people go, and bring a clean CR to a 
vote.

                          ____________________