“If the government shuts down, our Active Duty military could face working without pay. Their families could suffer”, said Rep. Bera.
On September 20, 2013 Rep. Bera of California requested permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding the looming government shutdown.
“Madam Speaker, we have 10 short days before this government could shut down. Yet today, after working only 9 days this month, Congress is about to go on recess. We shouldn’t be leaving here today. We should be staying, working, and coming to a real agreement, not some partisan ploy.
If the government shuts down, our Active Duty military could face working without pay. Their families could suffer. Our veterans who are already facing unreasonable wait times could go with delayed benefits. And seniors who have paid for years into Social Security and Medicare may not get the services that they need. This is completely unacceptable.
Americans are sick and tired of partisan fighting. They want Congress to do their job and work. Let’s put their economic security first. Let’s actually pass a reasonable budget. Let’s rebuild the middle class. Ten days, Madam Speaker. Let’s do our work” (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Bera represents California’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep Bera is the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He currently serves as a member of the House Committee on Science Space and Technology.