On the recordJanuary 28, 2019
Last Friday the 25th of January, 2019, was a day of celebration for 800,000 Federal workers. They joined me at the Federal office building which my office is in, and we stood together listening to their pain and their stories of trying to survive. Many said: We don't want to be held hostage again. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that no Federal employee over a policy question should not be paid. And as we have been saying, open the government and pay the workers. That same day, I went out to visit TSO officers and air traffic controllers. When I came back today, I stopped to speak to air traffic controllers, and I thanked them and said, America now knows for all of the Federal workers what great patriots and servants of the Nation that they are. We must thank them. I want to say to the officer who asked me about his pay being frozen that I hope Republicans will join Democrats in raising that pay to 2.6 percent. This is my answer to you, that we will pay you, and we will increase your pay. As I close, Mr. Speaker, I want to offer sympathy and concern for five Houston police officers who have just been shot. I offer my prayers and concern and sympathy for their families, and a speedy recovery during this time. ____________________
