Rodney Frelinghuysen: “The American people deserve better. The American people deserve better than a Federal Government that is largely shut…”

“The American people deserve better. The American people deserve better than a Federal Government that is largely shut down--services curtailed, employees furloughed. They deserve better than a President who says he will not negotiate and a Senate that apparently cannot negotiate. Mr. Speaker, the House has sent multiple continuing resolutions to the Senate to fund government operations through mid-December. The Senate dismissed each one, including our request to establish a House- Senate conference committee to engage in dialogue to discuss our differences and, yes, to work toward solutions. After all, compromise should not be a four-letter word here in Washington. But the President won't negotiate and the Senate won't talk. To paraphrase a recent military leader: Tell me how this ends. Until they come around, we must all remain committed to ending this government shutdown and for fighting for fairness in the President's new health care law. ____________________”