Political Quotes

“The reason dozens of my colleagues are here is to reopen government. Too often, what is lost in this discussion of this shutdown is the real hardship that is faced by the people we represent. I heard from a woman this week who told me that she was attempting to find a job and move her family out of a shelter. She made the necessary appointments to fill out the paperwork for a housing voucher, set up a job interview, and was given an opportunity. Let's talk about how this shutdown affected her. She can't be brought onto the job--no one can--because the job relies on a government contract that is on hold in this shutdown. She can't move into permanent and safe housing because her housing voucher can't be processed during this government shutdown. There are others. I spoke with the leaders of the Emergency Food Network in Tacoma who said that, as this shutdown continues and as funding for Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programs deteriorate, they are struggling to even provide baby formula. We need to reopen this government. It is harming our economy and it is straining the social fabric of our country. ____________________”