Effects of the Shutdown

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Maine for organizing this.

Madam Speaker, right now, millions of Americans all across this country are struggling, and they are uncertain about the future because of a government shutdown.

Federal employees, government contractors and their families, they are all hurting. Small businesses, nonprofits, State and local governments, they are feeling the pain, and they know they cannot count on Congress and the Federal Government as a reliable partner.

So who is at fault for this irresponsible, negligent, and dangerous shutdown? President Trump and the Republicans.

They are demanding a wall, a wall the Republican majority refused to fund for 2 years, and they are willing to inflict pain on millions of Americans, damage our economy, and put our Nation at risk to get their way, all so the President can keep a campaign promise.

Mr. Trump and the Republicans in Congress have taken 800,000 Federal workers hostage, and for them to get back to work and get paid, the ransom demand is Trump's wall.

Last week, I met with over 40 Federal employees, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, prison guards, all forced to work without pay. I met with Federal workers from HUD, and the IRS, and the Agriculture Department, who are furloughed and without pay. They are struggling. They feel betrayed by their government. They feel betrayed by their President.

Tomorrow, these valued workers will miss their second paycheck. They are hurting. They feel desperate. Their families are hurting, and they feel afraid. They are being treated like pawns by this President, and it is just outright cruel.

House Democrats have passed appropriation bills 10 times to fund and immediately open the government, but Republicans keep voting ``no.''

It is time for Congress and Democrats to vote to open the government and to end this shutdown. Then we can negotiate the details of comprehensive border security and immigration reform with the government open.

Every Federal worker, on the job or at home, I want you to know, you are valued for your service and your contribution to the safety and security and to the success of our Nation. You deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve to get paid immediately.

And the one way that we can collectively thank them for their service is to open the government now.

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