October 2nd, 2013 Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for a few minutes regarding the Republican led shutdown of government.
What the Congressman said regarding that particular issue was most disturbing because it involved children in the Head Start program in New York.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in this institution after spending 6 years in the New York State Legislature. It was a very meaningful experience for me, notwithstanding the fact that the legislature in New York is sometimes derided as one of the more dysfunctional bodies in the country; but after witnessing the last few days here in the House of Representatives, it is clear to me that there is no more dysfunctional place in this country than the House of Representatives under the current majority control.”
“This is a manufactured crisis that has unnecessarily plunged us into a painful government shutdown, a shutdown that will harm the American people. The House majority has placed children in jeopardy–tens of thousands shut out of the Head Start program. The House majority has placed seniors in jeopardy–unable to benefit from the Meals on Wheels program, partially funded by the Federal Government. The House majority with this government shutdown has placed expectant mothers in jeopardy and individuals who are now unable to get the nutritional assistance that might otherwise be available. You have placed veterans in jeopardy, Mr. Speaker. The House majority has placed families in jeopardy–more than 800,000 hardworking civil servants cast out onto the streets, with the uncertainty to determine when they may be able to pay their bills. The House majority with this government shutdown has placed the economy of the American people in jeopardy. Enough is enough”, said Rep. Jeffries (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Rep Jeffries serves on the powerful the Budget and Judiciary Committees in Congress. An extremely influential position in the U.S. House of Representatives.