Weekly Column: Government Shutdown

Statement

Today, we are here in Washington trying to resolve the federal government shutdown.

The House of Representatives has made several reasonable offers to the Senate and the President. On September 20th, I supported H.J.Res. 59, legislation to fully fund the government with a provision to defund ObamaCare. On September 29th, I supported legislation to fully fund government operations with a compromise to delay the president's health law for one year and to permanently repeal the medical device tax, something the Senate had already voted in favor of 79 to 20. On September 30, I supported a third measure to fully fund the government with a provision to delay the individual mandate for one year and treat members of Congress and their staff the same as all other Americans. Senate Democrats rejected all these offers on a party-line basis. Because we've been unable to agree, I supported a motion to sit down and negotiate to resolve our differences, but Senate Democrats refused.

Since Senate Democrats refuse to even talk about how to get our government back open, House Republicans are trying to minimize the shutdown's impact. On October 1, the House considered three bills that would ensure veterans continue to get their benefits, reopen national parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and allows the District of Columbia to continue using local taxpayer funding to operate some of their basic government functions. Amazingly, House Democrats oppose reopening these functions and blocked the bills under rules that required a two-thirds majority.

Today, the House will pass these bills -- as well as two additional measures to allow medical research to go forward and to allow the National Guard and Reserves to continue operations -- under rules that only require a simple majority. It's wrong to hold up veterans benefits so that Senate Democrats and the President can be spared the inconvenience of negotiating our differences. If Senate Democrats want to block some of these basic government services from moving forward, I think they owe our nation's heroes an explanation.

I remain committed to ending this government shutdown and fighting to protect the American people from Obamacare. My staff will be here to continue listening to the views of First District residents and to help ensure constituents can receive help as quickly as possible.

Feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you or your family.

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