[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15348]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  POLITICS: THE ``ART OF COMPROMISE''

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Senate leader Harry Reid 
has been the most ardent proponent of his party's no-compromise, no-
negotiation stance. The leader has even been unwilling to discuss a 
compromise to prevent a prolonged government shutdown.
  We are moving into the second week of this shutdown. In an effort to 
avoid being labeled as an ``obstructionist,'' the Senate leader has 
ordered a stance--at least rhetorically--and now claims there has 
already been compromise.
  I would say to the Senate leader that there has been some compromise, 
but not in the Senate Chamber. The compromise has come from 57 
Democrats who joined with the majority in the House to pass targeted 
appropriations bills that will fund key departments and programs.
  Mr. Speaker, politics is often referred to as the ``art of 
compromise.'' It is essential to the legislative process and surely 
vital to a functioning democracy. I commend my 57 Democratic colleagues 
in the House who understand this, and I encourage more to join them as 
we continue to pass targeted appropriations this week.
  Unfortunately, not until both Chambers start compromising will we be 
able to end this shutdown.

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