Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 4, 1996
480,000 Federal employees are working without pay, a form of involuntary servitude; 280,000 Federal employees are not working, and they will be paid. Virtually all of these workers have mortgages to pay, children to feed, and financial obligations to meet. Mr. Speaker, what is happening to these workers is immoral, is wrong, and must be rectified immediately. Newt Gingrich and the Republican leadership must not continue to hold the House and the American people hostage while they push their disastrous 7-year balanced budget plan. The gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Gingrich, and the Republican leadership must join Senator Dole and the entire Senate and pass a continuing resolution now, now to reopen Government. Mr. Speaker, that is what the American people want, that is what they need, and that is what this body must do.
Said by
Bernie Sanders
Independent · Vermont

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the impact of the government shutdown on federal employees.

Share

More from Bernie Sanders

Aug 11, 2026

Let me be very clear: If you do not take appropriate action now, my colleagues and I in the U.S. Senate will.

huffpost.com
Aug 19, 2026

Progressives believe that healthcare is a human right and that we should do what all other major countries on Earth do, guarantee healthcare to all people.

theguardian.com
Aug 11, 2026

You can't allow Democratic candidates to be outspent 50 to 1. But it is a corrupt campaign finance system, and Democrats can take charge of what takes place within their own primaries right now.

cbsnews.com
Aug 19, 2026

Do the right thing. Reverse your decision to idle the St. Albans plant and creamery.

sanders.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation