Let's Work on Keeping the Federal Government Open

Floor Speech

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, we are 2 weeks away from a shutdown of the Federal Government. What does that mean for communities like the one I represent in Colorado? Our Federal labs funding Federal research, funding for our universities, our national parks.

When you hear about something like our national parks closing, many people think, okay, maybe it means I delay our vacation. What does it mean to the thousands of people who live in Estes Park and our communities in Grand County, supported almost entirely by Rocky Mountain National Park, which millions of Americans enjoy every year? If they curtail their season by several weeks, they can't afford the rent for their store and can't afford to put their kids through college.

I also want to draw attention to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. After 50 years as one of our country's most successful recreation and conservation programs, funding needs to be reauthorized by September 30 or it could be lost forever.

There are so many things we could be discussing with only 14 days until a government shutdown. Instead, this body is about to go into debating two bills which the President will veto which don't fund a single thing with regards to keeping the Federal Government open.

Let's focus on what we need to do. Let's get to work. Let's make sure we can grow our economy and keep the Federal Government open.

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