Government Shutdown

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a government shutdown--no matter the duration--is a failure on a part of this institution to fulfill its most basic function.

The House has voted to fully fund the government and prevent this shutdown. The Senate dragged its feet and refused to pass anything for days.

We have also used every opportunity to protect Americans from the health care law's most harmful provisions. The Senate leader has been unwilling to allow an up-or-down vote on even the most reasonable change.

The law's medical device tax that is costing jobs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is supported by both Senators Casey and Toomey and previously passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 79-20. This was part of the House bill. It was rejected by Senator Reid.

Each and every day I hear from my constituents about how the health care law is either harming their economic situation or impeding access to quality and affordable care.

There is an appropriate way to conduct budget negotiations and that is through a normal procedure of appointing a conference committee to work out the difference. The House did that last night. We appointed our conferees. The Senate rejected even that measure earlier today.

The American people deserve better. It is time for the Senate leaders to lead.

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