“Mr. Speaker, we can avoid this…(But) You (must) work together. You listen to each other. You don’t play this blame game. (And) You (have to) act like adults”, said Rep. Ami Bera.
On September 28, 2013 Rep. Bera of California asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for a few minutes regarding the looming government shutdown.
“A government shutdown is going to affect millions of Americans. A government shutdown is going to affect middle class families at a time when our economy is slowly recovering, at a time when people are just starting to feel a little bit better about their home values, at a time when my constituents in Sacramento County are just now starting to feel a little bit better.”
“Mr. Speaker, we can avoid this. Let’s do what our history has shown us we can do”, he said.
“President Ronald Reagan was able to work with Speaker Tip O’Neill and get something done. That’s what happens in divided government. President Bill Clinton was able to work with Speaker Newt Gingrich and get something done. That’s what happens in divided government. You work together. You listen to each other. You don’t play this blame game. You act like adults”, said Rep. Bera of California (Source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov/).
Congressman Bera is the only Indian American currently serving in Congress.
Congressman Bera is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. He is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition.