Louis Stokes: “I rise in opposition House Joint Resolution 165, the 12th short-term continuing resolution for the current fiscal year.…”

“I rise in opposition House Joint Resolution 165, the 12th short-term continuing resolution for the current fiscal year. Where will it end? How many stopgap measures will it take for our Republican colleagues to realize that this is not the way to operate the Government? After two GOP-politically contrived shutdowns, which cost the American people over a billion dollars, action is still pending on five major appropriations bills. This week-to-week, piecemeal, and part-time management of the Nation's Government must end. Funding for nine critical Federal agencies is in jeopardy including the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs. These agencies provide vital services upon which families across the country depend. Mr. Speaker, this needless and continuing disruption of the lives of the American people is irresponsible. This is the 12th continuing resolution in less than 6 months. Our Nation's children are among the hardest hit by the Republicans' budget. While hard-working parents are raising their children, telling them to study hard, play by the rules, and you will succeed, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are destroying the very foundation upon which that philosophy was built. I know the children and families in my district, in Cleveland, OH, as well as those throughout the State, and across the country will suffer as a result of the Republicans' mean spirited budget.”