David Price: “Responsibility for funding the Federal Government is as basic as it gets. It is one of the most important duties of…”

“Responsibility for funding the Federal Government is as basic as it gets. It is one of the most important duties of Congress. The previous majority failed to do the basic task of keeping the lights on. Here on day 5 of the 116th Congress, we Democrats and leadership are determined to reopen Federal agencies shuttered by the Trump shutdown. This legislation, which has already gotten bipartisan support-- virtually unanimous support in the Senate--will ensure that the Federal Government is open and working for the American people. The agencies funded in this bill have been shuttered for 20 days. More than 20,000 air traffic controllers have been on the job, ensuring the safety of the Nation's skies, without pay. They have been doing their jobs without the usual complement of safety professionals who support the operation of the airspace. Yet, when payday comes for these controllers--and thousands of other Federal workers--they will see nothing. Instead of their pay, they will get a blank check. They will not get compensated for the work they have done. HUD is scrambling to renew contracts and ensure that thousands of tenants aren't evicted. The uncertainty over Federal grants has caused State departments of transportation to delay issuing contracts just before the construction season, and the list goes on and on. Mr. Speaker, we must end this madness.…”