OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Government Shutdown

Floor Speech

Date: Oct. 3, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action Government Operations Government Budget and Spending

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to take this time to thank our Capitol Police Sergeant at Arms staff, local D.C. police that provide for our safety every day. Our prayers go out to those injured and involved in today's terrible incident.

Second, Mr. Speaker, article I, section 9, clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that no funds shall be drawn from the Treasury without appropriations made by law. This is one of the few obligations that Congress must meet annually, and Congress has failed to meet that most basic responsibility, which is why I've cosponsored the Government Shutdown Fairness Act.

Mr. Speaker, where I come from, we believe in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. While I continue to cast every vote on this House floor in order to keep the government open, it should be morally reprehensible for me or other Members of the body to collect a paycheck while this lapse of appropriations continues.

Unfortunately, this gesture will not reopen the government. As we continue to work towards ensuring that critical services are made available to our Nation and citizens, we remain hopeful that the Senate majority leader will see the error of his ways and begin negotiations with the House.


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