I rise for Jodi Readinger, a tax preparer in Pennsylvania's Sixth District. She and her organization, the Berks Community Action Program, provide a range of services to over 2,500 low-income individuals and families in my community. For example, her team works for free to help people navigate the complicated process of filing their taxes. During a weekend town hall in Berks County this weekend, Jodi shared with me that she has been unable to reach the IRS to access tax preparation software due to the shutdown. Her work is responsible for bringing $1 million worth of tax refunds back to my community and for saving $80,000 for her customers. I am a third generation veteran. Border protection is imperative and a real issue. I am certain that there are measures to protect our borders that we can come to an agreement on in this brand-new Congress, but a shutdown is not the answer. Madam Speaker, I rise for the people like Jodi, because shutting down the government is failed policy. ____________________
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