James Lankford: “I would love to introduce the Senate to a couple that I know: husband, wife. Both work for the Federal Government--young…”

“I would love to introduce the Senate to a couple that I know: husband, wife. Both work for the Federal Government--young couple, expecting their first child. This week, they will miss a paycheck--both of them. You tell me how many people, in their early days of marriage, both spouses could miss a paycheck while they are preparing for their first child. But that is the reality that is being faced by that couple and, I am sure, a lot of other folks that stepped up to serve their Nation, serving in a Federal Agency, but because of a government shutdown, they are not going to get paid. I would love to introduce this body to a single mom that just, a couple of weeks ago, got the invitation to go to the FAA Academy and to become an air traffic controller--very difficult to get into that school--but has been accepted, is in the process, has quit her job, has canceled her lease and, as a single mom, is taking the risk to be able to step out in a new, great career. But right in the process of stepping out to do that new, great career, there is a government shutdown, and now she has no idea what is about to happen. She has quit her job already. She has canceled her lease already. She was preparing to move to get to the academy. Now what does she do?”