[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SHUTDOWN TO END ALL SHUTDOWNS
(Mrs. CRAIG asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I came to
Washington to work across the aisle and create economic opportunities
for Minnesota families.
Since I have gotten here, I have regularly met with Democrats and
Republicans to discuss the issues so many Americans talk about around
the kitchen table: better schools for their children, a fair shot at
economic security for their family, and healthcare they can afford.
We have also discussed over the last several weeks the shutdown. This
must never happen again. Yesterday, I joined many of my colleagues,
freshman colleagues, to introduce a bill to prevent another shutdown,
the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns Act.
This would prevent Federal workers from being used as pawns in future
political negotiations. Our bill creates strong incentives to prevent
another shutdown from occurring by withholding pay from Members of
Congress and the executive branch, while forcing lawmakers to remain in
Washington until a deal is reached.
Additionally, the bill ensures that the government will continue
running, even if we can't get to an appropriations bill.
Americans deserve better. We can do better for them. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns
Act and take a stand to never put politics over the American people
again.
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