Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 24, 2019
We are now in day 34 of the longest shutdown in American history. Over the course of this shutdown, I have heard from hundreds of people in my community who are being hurt by this reckless shutdown. Today, I would like to share the story of Graciela, who wrote to me from my hometown of Redlands. Graciela has worked for the IRS for over 40 years, and her Federal job allows her to care for her daughter, who is suffering from thyroid cancer. Graciela wrote to me and said: ``Each missed paycheck is another 2 weeks that my daughter will go without medication and treatment.'' It is outrageous that, in the face of this type of suffering, real human suffering, our President can remain so callous. We have voted 11 times to reopen this government, but instead of working with us to end this shutdown, the President and Leader McConnell continue to move the goalpost and insist on funding for their ineffective and wasteful border wall and cuts to legal immigration. Our country deserves better than leaders who are willing to hold their people hostage. Graciela concluded her message to me by saying this: ``The President's misconceived notion that this country needs a wall more than its own citizens need to go back to work or to be paid for the work they are doing is mind-boggling.'' Madam Speaker, Americans are suffering and deserve better. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________
Said by
Pete Aguilar
Democratic · California

Share & report

More from Pete Aguilar

Jan 15, 2020

Today I rise to honor the life of Tim Staples, a devoted husband, brother, son, and teacher. Tim gave his life working to save the life of another. As a volunteer for search and rescue team of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's…

govinfo.gov
Oct 21, 2021

I thank the vice chair for yielding. Like many of my colleagues, I was right here on the House floor when the violent mob attacked our Capitol. I saw those doors shaking, nearly overrun with rioters attempting to enter. I saw my colleagues…

govinfo.gov
May 14, 2021

The centerpiece of this strategy that the gentleman just acknowledged is vaccinations. It is important that we continue to get as many Members as we can vaccinated. That is the strategy that Dr. Monahan, Rear Admiral Monahan, a…

govinfo.gov
Jul 27, 2020

I would inquire how much time remains on each side. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California (Mr. Aguilar) has 8\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) has 7 minutes remaining.

govinfo.gov

Other voices in this conversation