Below is a message from Congressman Cook on the government shutdown. What do you think? "As a member of Congress who wants to get things done, it’s frustrating to see this game of Russian roulette play out. My constituents have made clear to me that they want government to remain open. Unfortunately, the Senate’s refusal to negotiate with the House and the President’s failure of leadership has led to the first government shutdown in seventeen years. "After the Senate rejected the first continuing resolution last week to keep government running, we went back to work over the weekend on a compromise resolution. The House worked late into the night on Saturday and passed this resolution, but the Senate took a two-day holiday before rejecting this compromise without a debate and without making a counter-proposal. Last night, the House put forward yet another compromise to keep government funded and requested that the Senate appoint conferees to meet with the House to negotiate any remaining differences. Instead, Senate Leader Harry Reid announced that he will not negotiate and adjourned the Senate for the night. Unfortunately, the Senate’s obstructionism has been mirrored in the White House where Presidential leadership has been sorely lacking. The President demonstrated this weekend that he’s willing to negotiate with Iran, a country that’s threatened to destroy the US and Israel, but he won’t negotiate with Congress. These delays have pushed us over the brink, and now seniors and working families will suffer from the foot-dragging. Had the Senate and the President been willing to sit down and negotiate with the House, this shutdown could have been averted. "The American people expect all sides to come together and negotiate so we can find a way to make government work in an efficient manner. If government shuts down, members of Congress shouldn’t be paid during that time. I support HR 3160, the “Government Shutdown Fairness Act,” which would prevent members of Congress from receiving a salary in the event of a government shutdown. Congress is failing to carry out one of its most important responsibilities, and everyday Americans are suffering. That’s why I’m a co-sponsor of HR 3160. I’m also supporting an amendment to the continuing resolution to prevent Congress from receiving special subsidies for healthcare. "The Eighth Congressional District contains many national parks and military bases that serve as economic engines for the region. While active duty military will continue to be paid, many civilian Department of Defense employees, as well as everyone who depends on the national parks for their economic livelihood, will be harmed by this shutdown. It’s unacceptable that this shutdown is harming the local men and women who are the backbone of our economy. "The House worked all night to send the Senate another bill that will keep government open. I stand ready to meet with the Senate any time and any place to negotiate a solution. Our country needs the President and Senate to make that same commitment to negotiations. Americans deserve nothing less than a President and Congress willing to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week until this problem is resolved."
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 21:33:48 +0000
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