Mr. BERA of California. Mr. Speaker, 12 hours. In about 12 hours, we threaten to shut this government down.
Now is the time to exhibit leadership, Mr. Speaker. You are the leader of this body. It has Democrats and Republicans, so we've got to take the best ideas out of both parties. Negotiations can't take place just between conservative Republicans and Tea Party Republicans.
I stand here ready to work with you, Mr. Speaker. We've got ideas. Let's take the best ideas out of both parties. Let's put them together, and put the American people first.
This is the United States of America. The first name in our country is ``United.'' We've got to stop fighting, and we've got to start fixing these problems. We've got to come together and put we, the people, first--the American people.
Take the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans, and let's start working together. Mr. Speaker, my office is open, and I stand ready to work.