Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for her leadership and for managing this rule that we now have on the floor of…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for her leadership and for managing this rule that we now have on the floor of the House. I stand here in the name of so many Americans who live in cities and rural communities that are so dependent on the Federal funding that helps to bridge local government funding, and also those who are most vulnerable in our Nation. As I rise today, we Democrats did come together to stop the shutdown. As I said earlier, there was applause across my district. At the same time, bills are passed that really shock me. Again, bills were passed that cut $800 million from the women, infants, and children program dealing with feeding babies. Then, one of the most talked about issues across America--we just saw something where Habitat for Humanity is building 39 homes under the name of the great President Jimmy Carter and his wife. Here we are cutting $1 billion to $500 million from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program that directly deals with the funding that is necessary. Can you believe the cuts in Medicare? Can you absolutely believe that that is what is happening? The bills are being passed by the Republican majority.…”