End of the Government Shutdown

Floor Speech

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, as we slug through the second week of the government shutdown, American families and small businesses are hurting. Every day of the last 10 days I have been contacted by constituents who cannot operate their stores, pay tribute to their loved ones at a Federal memorial, or secure a small business loan.

These unnecessary hardships damage our economy, and could have been avoided if House Republicans were not obsessed with taking away health care benefits from the public we serve.

Government has the duty to keep its doors open, provide vital services, and pay its bills. These items should not be considered a Democratic Party wish list. They are basic functions of government and should not be used as an opportunity to secure political points or hold America's economy hostage.

It is well past time to vote to end the government shutdown, pay our bills, get the Nation back to work, and grow our economy.

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