Disapproving the President's Proposal to Take An Action Relating to the Application of Certain Sanctions with Respect to the Russian

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise to address the Trump shutdown and the real consequences that have occurred since 800,000 Federal workers, including nearly 3,000 Wisconsinites, have been furloughed or forced to work without pay.

The President said this week that his administration is setting records. It is true that he now holds the record for the longest government shutdown in our Nation's history, but every day that it continues, the Trump shutdown is causing real pain for hard-working people in my State.

I recently read the heartbreaking story of Mallory Lorge. Mallory lives in River Falls, WI, and works for the Department of the Interior. On Friday, Mallory, along with thousands of other Federal workers, did not receive a paycheck. Mallory has type 1 diabetes. Without her paycheck, she can't afford her $300 copay to get the insulin she needs to manage her diabetes and stay alive. Mallory said she is rationing the two vials of insulin she has left. Her blood sugar rose to a high level last week, but she said she felt forced to ignore it. Instead, she said, I just went to bed and hoped I would wake up.

Think about that for a minute. Because President Trump and the Republicans in Congress refuse to support bipartisan legislation to end this shutdown and reopen the government, Mallory can't afford to get the insulin she needs to live. The House has done its job in passing bipartisan legislation to end the shutdown. Now it is time for Senate Majority Leader McConnell to stop blocking a vote in the Senate so that we can fund the government.

We are 26 days into the Trump shutdown. It is not just hurting Federal workers and contractors. It is also hurting small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. In Wisconsin, we make things-- cheese, brats, and, yes, beer. Milwaukee is often called Brew City, but thanks to the government shutdown, there are craft brewers across our State that can't make or sell new beer.

Russ Klisch is the President of Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Lakefront has been making beer in Wisconsin for more than 30 years. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approves licenses for new beers and new breweries as well as labels for beers that are sent out of State, but the Agency is not currently serving craft brewers due to the Trump shutdown.

Lakefront Brewery has plans to introduce a brand-new beer in mid- February, but those plans are now on hold. This government shutdown threatens to cut its beer sales and hurt its ability to grow its business and support the economy. Other breweries across Wisconsin are impacted as well.

Mosinee Brewing Company opened its doors just last November, but it can't get approval to start making and selling its new beer until the government reopens. New ``Made in Wisconsin'' beer is also on hold until we reopen the government.

President Trump and Majority Leader McConnell can and should end this shutdown today and ensure that Federal workers like Mallory can finally get paid and so that small business owners like Russ can keep growing their businesses.

We should vote in the Senate today on House-passed legislation, and the President should sign it so we can finally end this useless shutdown that is preventing our country from moving forward.

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