Hoyer: Govern as if Americans Are Depending Upon Us. Because They Are.
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon about House Republicans' unwillingness to work across the aisle to reach a compromise and keep the government open and operational for the people. Below is a transcript and link to his full remarks:
Click here to watch full remarks.
“Mr. Speaker, the Chairman has indicated he supports this en bloc amendment. I support that as well. I do not support the bill. I want to speak on the bill. I rise today to speak against the Majority's inability or unwillingness to govern. Take your pick.
“Republicans have had nine months to pass all their spending bills. They passed one. Now they're struggling to pass the rest, 96 hours before the government shuts down. It is the theater of the absurd.
“They did not merely sit on their hands, they actively slowed down this process with manufactured debt limit crisis, an illegitimate impeachment inquiry, and the meaningless message bills that will never become law. Wasting our time with these pointless proposals is not just inept, irresponsible, and idiotic, it is dangerous, it is costly, it is unwarranted.
“This bill is supposed to be about Homeland Security. We can have a legitimate debate about that. Instead, however, this bill, this entire process, makes our nation less secure and for what? A laundry list of far-right poison pills that prevent Congress from addressing the challenges at hand.
“How much time is spent on these pointless and negative and unacceptable provisions of these bills other than what these bills actually are supposed to do? Do we want to pad the ego of some extreme right-wing Members or pay the border agents and service members who protect America? Do we indulge in petulant tantrums or uphold our oath of office?
“Do we want to help the partisan fringe secure a segment on Newsmax or keep our government functioning For The People?
“A shutdown isn't a cudgel to score political points, it's a consequence of failed governance that should be avoided at all costs. Republicans, the majority of whom do not want this path to be followed, should say no – may I have one additional minute?
“I believe the majority of Republicans don't want to go down this path. But I say to the majority of the Republicans — shut them up. Let's have a bipartisan [vote] – we'll have an overwhelming vote, as we did with the debt limit. Over 300 of us voted to do the rational, necessary thing. We can do that again. How sad that we're not doing it.
“Republicans ought to have learned by now, after shutting down the federal government for 81 days since 1995, costing the American people billions of dollars and the confidence of the American people and our allies abroad. I fear they are about to add to that shameful tally. I'd like another 30 seconds, is it possible?
“I thank you so much for that generosity. I urge Republicans to work with us to pass a clean continuing resolution just as Mitch McConnell and 26 Republican [Senators] did yesterday. Now, they haven't gotten it to us yet, there's one Republican holding it up.
“Stop holding America hostage, start holding your Members accountable. Govern as if Americans are depending upon us. Because they are. I yield back.”