On the recordOctober 16, 2013
Throughout my political career, I have always tried to work with my colleagues--no matter the party--to get things done for my constituents in San Diego. This week, however, it is hard to point to anything we did to help the American people. As we move past this episode, commentators will inevitably try to decide who looked strong, and who looked weak, who is up in the polls and who is down, who blinked and who stood firm. But Mr. Speaker we need to move past such talk. Because make no mistake, there were no winners this week. Only losers. Thousands of hard working American families who rely on government aid programs, federal employees who were furloughed, and kids just hoping to visit a national park all were hurt this week for no real reason at all. In fact, in my city of San Diego alone, it is estimated we lost $7 million a week during the shutdown. $7 million. Imagine the investments in our schools, roads, and small businesses that we could have made with that money. Madam Speaker we can't keep hurting ourselves. We have many important things to do to put Americans back to work and strengthen the middle class to be playing these sorts of games. The American economy is on the road to recovery, but we keep getting in its way, as we barely avert one manmade disaster after another. For once, let's bring stability to the markets, rather than continually manufacturing uncertainty.…
