On the recordOctober 4, 2013
I thank my friend for the time. Mr. Speaker, there's been an avalanche of talk from both sides, an avalanche of opinion. That's democracy. I think there is one indisputable fact, and that is the one way to end the government shutdown today is for the House to pass the Senate bill and send it to the President. That would end the shutdown immediately. Now, it's my opinion that a majority of Members of the House would vote in favor of that proposal if it reaches the floor. I think that's what would happen. But it's my conviction, and I think it should be our shared conviction, that we ought to take a vote on it. We ought to let all 433 Members that are present here cast a vote on whether they want the Senate bill to pass or not; and if our side wins, fine. If our side loses, that's fine too. That's democracy. After this avalanche of talk, there is going to be a chance, in a few minutes, for people to actually vote on this question; and this is not the technical, procedural language, but it's the reality language. What this vote's really going to ask is this: Do you want the government shutdown to continue or not? If you vote ``no'' that you don't want the government shutdown to continue, the Senate bill will come to the House floor this afternoon, and we'll take that vote.…
