Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, it is once again disappointing to witness my Democratic colleagues pull political stunts rather than make serious efforts to find a compromise to reopen the government.

This legislation that we have before us today has only seen the light of day for less than 24 hours. Democratic leadership is abusing the suspension list--something usually reserved for bipartisan, noncontroversial legislation--to play politics with this government shutdown.

Let me be clear: This legislation will not reopen the government. This has, once again, as we have seen for 3 weeks in a row now, House Democrats using valuable time on the floor of the House of Representatives to play partisan politics rather than to do our job to find a real solution to reopen shuttered agencies.

It is being reported that President Trump has invited several House Democrats to the White House today to discuss the government shutdown and potentially find solutions for compromise. Unfortunately, it is also being reported that several of my fellow House Members have rejected that invitation. If that is true, it demonstrates a serious neglect of our duties as representatives of the people.

As my friend from California, Jackie Speier, rightly said just this morning on cable news: ``I think when the President calls, it is incumbent upon us to respect the office and to attend the meeting. And if they have been asked, I would suggest that they go.''

Madam Speaker, I could not agree more. Every single Member of this body should be working on behalf of the American people to reopen this government.

The President is demonstrating his willingness to compromise. I sincerely hope my Democratic colleagues will heed the invitation and come to the table with a real offer. Any rejection of this invitation is a shameful disregard of the seriousness of the situation before us.

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