On the recordSeptember 29, 2023
Let me take a moment to offer my deepest sympathy to the people of California, her family, and the people of this Nation on the passing of Senator Feinstein. Mr. Speaker, this is a serious moment in history. This is a serious moment for patriots and persons courageous enough to do the right thing. I started out this morning by saying it will be the American people that will suffer, but it will be my neighbors in Houston and my fellow Texans. We have a solution, and I think it should be very clearly stated. What my friends on the other side of the aisle are arguing is chaos and confusion. They are arguing no solution. They are shouting from the top of their lungs to be heard and to generate excitement for social media, but we have a very calm situation. The Senate has voted 77-19 to put forward a reasoned extension, keeping the funding as it is, making sure our military is being paid, not cutting off women and children from supplemental nutrition--these are infants we are talking about--and taking care of communities, like the firefighters in the West who are suffering after fighting fires and other natural disasters. They have a CR. It will come here. It has a privileged status. That status will allow us to vote. The government will be open, and then the engagement on issues that are in disagreement or agreement could be worked out.…
