Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I appreciate very much what the leader has said. I know this has been arduous, and I know the negotiations have been…”

“I appreciate very much what the leader has said. I know this has been arduous, and I know the negotiations have been arduous. That is why I believe that in the next 3 hours, we will do the right thing on this issue. I hope we do the right thing for all of our country. We have not talked about the other Federal employees who are essential and those who are going to be furloughed. There are so many people in this country who are going to be affected in so many ways if there is a government shutdown. I am focusing on the ones who cannot help themselves right now because they are overseas protecting our freedom, but there are many people who are going to have hardships that are unnecessary. I do appreciate what Senator Durbin has said. There is one other person I want to mention; that is, Congressman Louie Gohmert. He started on the House side with the same bill I have introduced on the Senate side. He has gained large support on the House side for this legislation. I commend Congressman Gohmert for assuring, as we were watching this week the very spirited debate that has gone on about the possibility of having a government shutdown--Louie Gohmert stepped up first. I give him credit for saying there is one group we cannot leave behind no matter what happens. Our bills are virtually the same. Whichever House can pass it first is fine with me because whatever we do, we have to do it together and we have to do it before midnight. The PRESIDING OFFICER.…”