Let's Vote and Keep the Government Open

Floor Speech

Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, across the country, Americans are asking a simple question: When will their government open?

Every day, more Americans are denied services they need. Children who rely on Head Start are being turned away. New mothers and their infants are being denied nutritional assistance from WIC. Small businesses are losing demand for their services or are having trouble accessing loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, costing jobs we cannot afford to lose and at a time when our economy continues to struggle.

While this is happening, what have our colleagues on the other side of the aisle done? They waste precious time with incremental bills that have no chance of enactment. That is not responsible governing. It is an excuse to put out a press release. The American people do not want more press releases. They want action.

Every day that the government stays closed is a lost opportunity for our economy and our communities. Let's vote and keep this government open.

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