Brittany Pettersen: “I thank my friend and colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I understand that my colleague, Representative Luna, has done…”

“I thank my friend and colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I understand that my colleague, Representative Luna, has done everything she can to try to find a path forward, and this is ultimately the only option that existed at the end. Yet, this does not address the real barriers that people continue to face. This would be the last week that I could have been home, still working in my district, working as a Member of Congress and representing my constituents but making sure that I was not traveling across the country with my son. Do my colleagues think that there would be one Republican here today who would stand on my behalf and vote ``present'' on the bills coming forward this week? I don't think so. This is why this is not a workable solution. This is not going to address when people are unable to be here for medical reasons and for the well-being of their kid after giving birth. While I appreciate trying to find whatever common ground we can, this is not a deal. This does not solve our problem, and the work continues. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”