Political Quotes

“I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Kaine and so many others who are here on the floor today to talk about the hardship that has been created for so many Americans by this government shutdown--a government shutdown that is wasteful, unnecessary, and totally about politics. Today is the 17th day since this partisan brinkmanship shut down 9 out of 15 Departments and dozens of government Agencies that we depend on to protect our health and safety. We could reopen the government's doors today if Senate Republicans take up the bills that were passed by the House--bills that were written and overwhelmingly approved by the Republican-controlled Senate just a few weeks ago. If there is bipartisan and bicameral agreement on the appropriations bills, then why has the government shut down? Sadly, it is because the President wants to force American taxpayers to foot the bill for an ineffective and costly wall on the southern border--a wall which the President promised Mexico would pay for and which is opposed by the majority of Americans. Meanwhile, the men and women who work in Agencies that protect the American people and who protect our borders are either not working or on the job but not getting paid. In total, more than 380,000 Federal employees have been furloughed, and more than 450,000 are working without pay. This shutdown affects the entire country, including New Hampshire.…”