[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DAY 16 OF THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, day 16 of the Republican government 
shutdown: children across the country are being turned away from Head 
Start educational services; our small businesses are seeing a loss in 
demand for their services; and local economies are suffering. Americans 
are finding it harder to finance the purchase of a new home, placing a 
damper on the housing market, a cornerstone of our national economy. In 
New York, alone, 50,000 workers are furloughed, holding back on 
purchases that will help stimulate our local economy.
  Now we approach another deadline and the possible default of the 
Federal debt. Allowing this to happen will be the height of Republican 
irresponsibility, causing havoc in our capital markets and costing 
American jobs.
  All of this could end today if our colleagues would simply allow a 
vote. Stop playing political games. We need to reopen the government 
and pay the bills Congress previously authorized.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people have seen enough. The time for talk 
is over. Let's vote to end this today.

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