Chris Van Hollen: “first, I thank my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, for his steadfast efforts to bring this shameful shutdown to…”

“first, I thank my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, for his steadfast efforts to bring this shameful shutdown to an end. He and I have met with Federal employees all over the State of Maryland to bring their stories here to the floor of the Senate. While they are under incredible hardship and incredible duress, the first thing they tell us at every meeting is that they want to get back to work for the American people, to do their job for the American people. These are civil servants; these are public servants; and they want to get back to helping the country. To my friend and partner and colleague, Senator Cardin, I thank him for all of his efforts in this shameful episode of our history. President Trump often falsely boasts that he has accomplished what no other President in American history has been able to do. This time, he has succeeded. This time, he has succeeded in closing down the Federal Government for a longer period than any other President in United States history--24 days and counting. President Trump said just a few weeks ago that he would be proud-- proud to shut down the government if he didn't get his way. But President Trump should know that reaching this historic milestone is nothing to be proud of. It is unnecessary, and it is shameful.…”