Political Quotes

“This is the time, Mr. Speaker, that we talk about what action is going to take place on the floor of this Chamber later today, because quite frankly, it is critical that we pass this continuing resolution today, whatever we call it, to avoid another partial Government shutdown. A partial Government shutdown leads to a massive Government slowdown. This is something we can ill afford. The previous two shutdowns cannot be repeated. They were devastating to Federal employees, to contractors, to their families, to the local economy, universities, researchers, and the entire American public. The previous two partial Government shutdowns, as I mentioned, have resulted in a massive slowdown and an erosion of confidence in Government. A longer-term solution is still necessary. Agencies cannot make long-term spending decisions without long-term appropriations. Vendors with long-term contractors cannot be paid. It may be unwilling or unable to continue on a month-to-month basis. Contractors, Federal employees and their families remain very anxious about their future. Etymologically, the word 'disease,' if you look at the Oxford English Dictionary, comes from the words 'absence of ease.' There is really an absence of ease out there in our country, a disease, so to speak. This is something that we in Government can correct.”