On the recordOctober 11, 2013
In July, I stood at this same podium arguing it shouldn't take a government shutdown threat each year to force Congress to do its job. I voted against Congress adjourning for the month of August, insisting that Congress remain to complete critical business. The work of the people remains unfinished. Today is day 11 of the government shutdown. Thousands of workers stay home, without a paycheck, and yet Congress has not done its job. This shutdown has failed to will Congress and the administration to the finish line, and we have seen a cycle of crisis management rather than responsible governing. Mr. Speaker, Washington is broken. This is not governing. This is not what our Founding Fathers intended. I urge Congress and the leadership in Washington to return to regular order of business. Instead of governing by crisis, let's responsibly govern, by getting the people's business completed on time. ____________________
