OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 9, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Government Operations

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Quigley for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Trump shutdown is harmful and irresponsible.

On the first day of this new Congress, House Democrats sent legislation to open up the government. I supported it, and I will continue to support this legislation to open up parts of the government immediately.

Each day the Republican shutdown continues, hardworking Americans and families suffer. Right now, the IRS is operating with only 12 percent of its workforce, threatening the agency's ability to process and disburse tax refunds in a timely manner.

That is why today I am sending a letter to President Trump with the support of my colleague, Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas, and over 50 Members of Congress, urging him to end the shutdown and warning him of the effects that that shutdown is having on families.

Just yesterday, The Washington Post noted that students reliant on Federal financial aid for college are facing trouble providing the Department of Education verification of their income because of furloughs at the IRS. I represent many immigrant and working-class families who rely on their annual tax refund to feed their families, pay for their children's education, and buy their gas to get to work.

Mr. Speaker, families are suffering, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and reopen the government.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward