[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 184 (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WORKING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Nickel) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, we need to make it easier, not harder, for 
eligible voters to make their voices heard in our elections. We need to 
make sure that voting is accessible to everyone, whether they want to 
go to the polls, vote early, or vote by mail.
  In Congress, there is so much we can do to make it easier for people 
to vote and participate in our democracy. It starts with passing the 
John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. These 
commonsense bills would end partisan gerrymandering, expand voting by 
mail, protect early voting, help get big money out of our elections, 
combat dark money, support election integrity, and make additional 
reforms to improve ballot access.

                              {time}  1045

  It is time to put politics aside and get these commonsense bills 
across the finish line. I will continue to do everything I can to 
protect the right to vote and work to make it easier for people to vote 
and to participate in our democracy.


          Congratulating Mayor Ken Marshburn on His Retirement

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate the exemplary 
service of Mayor Ken Marshburn, a distinguished leader and devoted 
public servant to the town of Garner.
  During his time in office, Mayor Marshburn has worked tirelessly 
alongside council members, town staff, and community leaders to enhance 
the quality of life in Garner. He has an unwavering belief in Garner's 
potential and has always worked to make Garner a place where people can 
not only live but also thrive.
  Mayor Marshburn's leadership is coming to an end today with our 
elections in Garner. He has steered Garner toward a positive and 
prosperous future. His commitment to fiscal responsibility has laid a 
solid foundation for the town's growth, attracting new businesses that 
enrich our economic diversity. His legacy is one of leadership, 
service, and unwavering dedication to our community.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Mayor Ken Marshburn for 
his unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the town of 
Garner and extending our best wishes to him and his family as they 
embark on this well-deserved retirement.
  Our community is richer and brighter due to his leadership and 
service. I again thank Mayor Marshburn for his service.


                      Fighting Hatred in All Forms

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, in North Carolina last year, anti-Semitic 
incidents increased by 30 percent. The ongoing conflict in Israel has 
led to even more anti-Semitic attacks both in the U.S. and around the 
world.
  Just this week, the ADL's Center on Extremism reported a nearly 400 
percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents compared to the same period 
last year. The situation has been even worse since Hamas launched a 
brutal and calculated attack against Jewish people and the State of 
Israel on October 7.
  In New York, Jewish students at Cooper Union College were forced to 
shelter inside the school library on Wednesday for their own safety 
during a campus protest. In Indianapolis, a woman deliberately crashed 
her car into the building of what she believed was a pro-Jewish 
organization.
  Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to remain vigilant against anti-
Semitism, discrimination, and prejudice. Let's work to fight hatred in 
all forms and ensure that the scourge of anti-Semitism does not rear 
its ugly head both at home and abroad.


                     Avoiding a Government Shutdown

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss our core job here in 
Congress, funding the Federal Government. We have 10 days until a 
government shutdown. Mr. Speaker, I will say that again, 10 days, just 
over a week until the government runs out of money.
  A government shutdown would hurt the economy, risk our national 
security, and would be a disaster for North Carolina. Hundreds of 
thousands of people would be put on temporary leave without pay or be 
forced to work without pay. Essential staff--like our TSA agents, air 
traffic controllers, and many others--would be required to work without 
pay through the duration of any shutdown.
  Mr. Speaker, there is only one path forward, and that is 
bipartisanship. Republicans have a very narrow majority in the House. 
Democrats have a very narrow majority in the Senate. We have the White 
House, but we have to work together.
  Right now there is no plan to fund our government, and we have to do 
it next week. This needs to be a priority for this body, for this 
institution, and we have to do our job. The American people expect us 
to fund the government, and right now there is no plan to do that.
  A shutdown will cost taxpayers money. It will hit our economy hard. 
My constituents are hit hard right now with the rising cost of 
inflation, the high cost of mortgages, and the continuing costs that 
hit hard, whether it is childcare or healthcare. A shutdown would be an 
incredible unforced error at this time.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to fund the government.

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