Tim Kaine: “I would like to finish the colloquy of the Democratic Senators who talked about this important issue--the need to reopen…”

“I would like to finish the colloquy of the Democratic Senators who talked about this important issue--the need to reopen the government and to stop the shutdown--and I intend to do so before 9 o'clock. I want to thank my colleague from New Hampshire and all the colleagues who appeared on the floor today. On Friday, January 11, if we do not end this shutdown, it will be tied for the longest shutdown of government in the history of the United States. It is also a payday where more than 800,000 Federal employees will not get a paycheck. My quick census research suggests that is essentially the population of South Dakota. More than 800,000 people who just want to serve their country, some of whom have been forced to work without a paycheck, will not get a paycheck on January. Friday, January 11, is right after Christmas, when a lot of Christmas bills come due. Friday, January 11, is in the middle of winter, when heating bills are at their highest. Friday, January 11, is right before the beginning of the college spring semester, and families will be sitting around kitchen tables to write tuition checks for their kids to go to school for the spring semester. That will be this Friday. This shutdown hurts workers. I told stories of workers in Virginia who have already suffered, and my colleagues have as well. It hurts citizens. I had the experience two Saturdays ago of going to four Federal--either national forests or Park Service operations and seeing gates closed.…”