Jackie Speier: “I have a very simple message: let your people go. The American people are very frustrated by what we are doing here.…”

“I have a very simple message: let your people go. The American people are very frustrated by what we are doing here. They want us to end this shutdown. In fact, some 70 percent of them do not like the way you or the Republican majority is handling this crisis. So, Mr. Speaker, if you will just let your people go and allow us to bring a clean continuing resolution to the floor, we can end this. Despite your claims to the contrary, it is clear to everyone that we have at least 17 votes required from your side of the aisle to pass the continuing resolution. So, Mr. Speaker, why don't you just let your people go? I have a simple question for you: If you think to the contrary that their votes are not there, then why not put your cards on the table and allow a vote? The American people cannot afford more rounds of betting their economic futures on politicians' betting on a pair and thinking they have a full house. The American people think it's time to call your bluff. Mr. Speaker, let your people go. We can reopen the World War II Memorial and the VA today. We can ensure that all military families receive death benefits and can travel to Dover Air Force Base to receive their loved ones' remains. We can end what Senators on the other side of the aisle have declared ``shameful and embarrassing.'' We can end this today, Mr. Speaker, if you let your people go. Holding back on a vote prevents the opening of lifesaving clinical trials at the NIH.…”