[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, while I hope today is the last day of the 
senseless government shutdown, I want to share a part of a letter from 
one of my constituents, Lindsay Smith, a medical student and 2nd 
lieutenant in the Air Force's Health Professions Scholarship Program.
  She writes:

       On October 15, I woke up anxious. I took a shower, ate 
     breakfast, and right before I left for class, I held my 
     breath and checked my bank account--no deposit.
       I am not getting paid during this ridiculous government 
     shutdown game of chicken. Today, I got to call my electric 
     and cell phone providers to ask for an extension of my mid-
     month bills. Ensuring I eat has become the most pressing 
     issue in my life.
       I wish more than anything that I could share my story with 
     those Members of Congress who are keeping this stupid 
     shutdown charade going. The Affordable Care Act has passed 
     all three levels of government. That's how democracy works.
       Because our elected representatives couldn't think about 
     the big picture and in light of the Republican Party agenda 
     to block anything and everything coming out of the Oval 
     Office, thousands of Federal employees and non-Active Duty 
     military members are having to make the choice between eating 
     and paying bills.
       The pettiness is messing up people's lives, the people who 
     support and defend you. You should be endlessly ashamed of 
     yourselves.

  Thank you, Lieutenant Smith, for letting us know and for reminding us 
of the impact of our actions on real lives.

                          ____________________