Business Before the Senate

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, let me say thank you to the few remaining colleagues, but everyone else also, for staying here late into the evening as we continue to confirm these important nominees to the Biden administration.

Now, in a few moments, I will be filing cloture on the continuing resolution that was passed by the House of Representatives this week. The resolution is the answer for avoiding numerous fast-approaching crises on the horizon, including an unnecessary government shutdown and a first-ever default on our country's sovereign debt.

Members should be advised the cloture vote will take place this coming Monday. Every single Member in this Chamber is going on record as to whether they support keeping the government open and averting a default or support shutting us down and careening our country toward a default.

At the end of the day, frankly, the only thing that matters in the legislative body is how you vote. It is what our constituents sent us here to do.

Now, our Republican colleagues say they don't want a shutdown. They say they don't want a credit default. They say they want hurricane aid. Then the answer is simple. Just vote yes on this bill, and it will all get done.

But if Republicans vote no, as many of them are saying they will, the Republican Party will solidify itself as the party of default--the party of default. They will endanger every single American in this country, including those who rely on Social Security and Medicare benefits. They will hurt small businesses, pensioners, and our veterans.

If my Republican colleagues want to help the American people avoid calamity, they can vote yes to keep the government open. They can vote yes on suspending the debt limit. It is in their hands.

But come Monday, if Republicans vote in favor of a shutdown and default, the American people will see exactly who is responsible for throwing our country in crisis. There will be the President requesting this bill, the House having passed the bill, the majority putting this bill on the floor, and then the Republicans blocking it. Who is responsible for the default?

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