[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 15 (Thursday, January 24, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        OPEN THE GOVERNMENT NOW

  (Ms. JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of 
Federal employees in my district and around the Nation.
  For over a month now, 800,000 coastguardsmen, TSA agents, and air 
traffic controllers have been held hostage by President Trump's 
shutdown, a shutdown with far-reaching consequences.
  Due to staffing shortages at Dallas' two major airports, shortages 
that have resulted from the TSA agents being forced to live the last 34 
days without pay, aviation experts have warned that flying today is 
less safe than over a month ago.
  Madam Speaker, since President Trump irresponsibly shut government 
down, I have heard from countless TSA agents and the national air 
traffic controllers in my district. They have all indicated that, while 
they are committed to their duties, they are also suffering financially 
and need the government reopened now.
  I stand with them. Every member of our Caucus is standing together, 
calling on the White House to open the government now.

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