Patty Murray: “reserving the right to object, let me make it very clear that what the Senator from Pennsylvania is asking is that we…”

“reserving the right to object, let me make it very clear that what the Senator from Pennsylvania is asking is that we continue to hold our country, our communities, and our families hostage while they try to get something out of a conference. Mainly, the Senator is talking about saying ObamaCare will be repealed unless we pass a very short-term--a few weeks--continuing resolution. That is completely unacceptable not only to this Senator but to the vast majority of Americans. The Senator is also saying we can talk while everyone is not at work while the government is shut down. We have been asking to talk for a long time, but the American people deserve to be able to go to work, get their paychecks, and to have our communities and our country running without the threat of this over their heads. I object to the Senator's request. I repeat my request that we allow the House to vote on the bill that was sent over to them, that they have the votes on, open the government, and then do as we have asked 19 times, do what the American people expect us to do, which is to go to conference and work out our disagreements. I renew my original request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the request of the Senator from Washington?”