On October 4, 2013 Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for a few minutes regarding the government shutdown.
During that time she spoke eloquently about how the shutdown is absolutely devastating people within her district, especially those who are considered the most vulnerable in our society “women, infant and children.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is day four and I am just amazed that this government shutdown has been allowed to continue even though we have the votes to end it right now. A bipartisan majority of this House supports the Senate-passed so-called “clean continuing resolution,” but for some reason Speaker Boehner won’t allow a vote. People back home in Oregon and across the United States don’t understand this. The majority of the House, a majority of the Senate, and the President agree on a deal that would reopen the government, but it is not going to happen because the Speaker won’t allow a vote”, she said.
“This is hurting our constituents. One of mine wrote about her family’s effort to save enough money for a house, but she is on indefinite furlough, unpaid time that she didn’t ask for, didn’t deserve and can’t afford. Another had planned a trip to visit the Grand Canyon; but after making reservations and buying tickets, the park won’t be open and her family’s trip will be ruined. Someone else wrote about her pregnant daughter who relies on WIC and won’t receive the nutrition assistance she needs”, said an impassioned Rep. Bonamici (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Rep Suzanne Bonamici serves currently on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology.