On the recordOctober 3, 2013
It's day three of Senator Reid's government shutdown. The American people are frustrated, western Pennsylvanians are frustrated, and I am frustrated. Make no mistake: there is a choice here. The House's solution embraces fairness for all. The Senate's spending bill protects special deals for Washington, D.C. The House passed four reasonable compromises to keep the government open. Our latest solution ends the special deal that President Obama cut for Senators and Representatives. It also gives individuals and families the same break from the health care law that President Obama gave to Big Business. Senator Reid could reopen the government today. Unfortunately, he refuses to compromise. In fact, he said yesterday that he is ``locked in tight.'' Senator Reid is ``locked in tight'' on those special breaks for Big Business, Senators, and Representatives. This is an outrage. Mr. Speaker, as I answer the phones in my office, I hear from constituents who tell me that there should be no special deals; there should be fairness for all. The American people deserve better from their Senators. It is time for the Senate to end special deals, embrace fairness for all, and reopen this government. ____________________
