[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 15, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the Republican shutdown of government and
their move to default on our debt are like forcing the wrong medicine
on a sick patient--you might get them to take it, but it could kill
them.
The only way America can pay back our Nation's debt is through
economic growth and job creation, not bad medicine.
Let's not forget that we are still digging our way out from the Wall
Street-induced Great Recession. Where did the $17 trillion of national
debt come from? The Wall Street recession cost American households
$19.2 trillion in lost wealth and the country 8.8 million jobs.
Under President Obama, we have had 42 consecutive months of job
growth, leading to 7.5 million jobs being created, unlike in the Bush
years when there wasn't a single job created. In fact, we lost over a
half a million jobs. In the last 12 months of the Bush years, the
country lost 4.6 million jobs. Let's not forget that America has
accumulated an $8.4 trillion trade deficit since 1975 and that we have
racked up $4 trillion in unpaid-for war spending.
So what is the Republican solution? Shut down the government. Don't
pay the bills. The latest idea is to govern by supercommittee.
Mr. Speaker, we need to restore regular order, to move bills, to
create jobs, and keep America's promises to our debtors. Let's nurse
our Nation back to health, and stop continuing the economic pain with
bad medicine.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Members are reminded to please heed the gavel.
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