Nita Lowey: “All we need is 20 votes from Republicans who understand that this kind of pain and suffering is wrong. And…”

“All we need is 20 votes from Republicans who understand that this kind of pain and suffering is wrong. And, incidentally, I want to add that I got a call today from someone who works in the Veterans Administration at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital in Montrose. They had to hold a bake sale because some of their employees who are so loyal, they want to go to work, but did not get their paycheck that was worth anything. In fact, it was 2 weeks that included all the deduction, but it was really less than 1 week's pay that they got. And, in fact, they cannot afford to get to work at the Veterans Hospital in Montrose. So people who are working, taking care of our veterans, who gave their heart and soul, and some made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, cannot afford to go to work to take care of our veterans. So I just want to say to my colleague that I understand his anger, because I know all of us share it, and we cannot just blame the freshmen Republicans who are standing in the corner saying my way or no way, but the moderate Republicans have a chance now to join with Senator Dole in the Senate in a bipartisan way to open up this Government and then we can have and continue to have a debate. This is a serious debate about the priorities of our country. We really disagree. We want to protect Medicare, Medicaid, the environment, and education, and they want to give tax cuts to those who really do not ask for it. This is a serious debate.”