Joe Neguse: “16 days, that is how much time we have left until the government runs out of funding. Six weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, I…”

“16 days, that is how much time we have left until the government runs out of funding. Six weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, I stood here on the floor of the House with my colleagues as House Republicans gaveled the House out of session for a 45-day recess. Now, you may recall, Mr. Speaker, the priority that House Republicans were pursuing on that day, as we gaveled out of session. I can assure you it was not to fund the government. It was, instead, a bill targeting the lesser prairie chicken and the long-eared bat, literally. This came on the heels of a summer spent on Republican bills to protect gas stoves. Six weeks later, we are back in Washington. Republicans have gaveled the Congress back into session. Here we are on the House floor yet again. What are we spending our time doing? Perhaps a bill to fund the government? No. A bill to ensure that members of our armed forces are paid, that the operations of our government remain up and running? No. Instead, House Republicans choose to spend the time of this body debating a bill attacking electric vehicles. Electric vehicles, gas stoves, the long-eared bat, and the lesser prairie chicken. Those are the priorities of the House Republican caucus. Sixteen days away from a government shutdown, and this is how House Republicans choose to spend our time. The priorities that House Republicans are pursuing are grossly out of step with the priorities of the American people. You are in charge, Mr. Speaker.…”