[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4954-4955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A PENDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page 4955]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, well, here we go again. We're 1 week away 
from a government shutdown. I, for one, wish we could focus on creating 
jobs and growing the economy. But, instead, the majority can't even 
agree on how to keep the doors open.
  In fact, unwilling to compromise and unable to break free of the 
clutches of the tea party, they have tried a stunt that is beyond 
belief. It's altogether fitting that we are debating this absurd 
measure today on April Fool's Day. Why? Because after reading the 
Constitution on the floor of this body just weeks ago, they are 
ignoring our founding document, mocking its principles, and attempting 
to circumvent 222 years of history.
  What do they want to do? Say that any bill, any bill that passes this 
House is good enough. No need for the Senate or President. It should 
just become law, like magic.
  This country was founded on checks and balances and limited 
government. Instead of desperate attempts to ram through job-destroying 
legislation to appease the extreme wing of their party, perhaps the 
majority in this House could try negotiating in good faith with the 
Senate and our President to keep the lights on. After all, that's the 
least the American public expects of their elected officials.

                          ____________________