Financial Challenges Families Are Experiencing Because of the Government Shutdown
Floor Speech
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Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, when the people of California's 49th District elected me to represent them in Congress, I did not imagine that I would be sworn in during a partial government shutdown. However, on the same day that I raised my right hand and took the oath of office, I also cast my first votes to fund Federal agencies that have been shut down by President Trump.
We have since voted on several similar bills, including earlier today. The bills we voted on were not controversial. In fact, they were the same exact bills that Senate Republicans supported just 1 month ago, and they have received bipartisan support here in the House. In fact, just today, 12 Republicans voted to fund and reopen Transportation and HUD, and 10 voted to reopen Agriculture and the SNAP program.
One-third of the Federal workforce is comprised of veterans. The shutdown is hurting their credit rating and that of all Federal employees. How can President Trump claim to care about veterans while allowing this to continue?
For those in my district back home who are impacted, I hear your voices. I have heard the voice of the Fish and Wildlife Service employee in my district who told me the other day that many of her colleagues are living paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to go any longer without the pay that they have earned and that they deserve.
I have heard the grocery store owner in my district who can't get help with his food stamp eligibility because the appropriate USDA office is shut down.
The Trump shutdown is hurting people in my district and every district who have done nothing but worked hard and played by the rules.
We can end this today by reopening the government while we continue to debate border security. And make no mistake, we need smart, effective, and humane border security, but we do not need 5th century technology for a 21st century problem.
I strongly urge Leader McConnell to bring up the bipartisan funding bills for a vote in the Senate, and I urge President Trump to do the right thing and sign them.
Mr. Speaker, 20 days is far too long. The American people have had enough. Let's end this senseless shutdown, and let's end it now.
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