January 24, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 15 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H1195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE SHUTDOWN HURTS NEW JERSEY FAMILIES

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, 34 days into the Trump shutdown, New 
Jersey families are hurting: 5,000 Federal workers have lost their 
paycheck; millions more are being harmed by the closure of critical 
services.
  In my district in Edison, many EPA employees are being prevented from 
doing their jobs. These dedicated public servants help clean up 
contaminated sites. They keep our drinking water safe. Meanwhile, at 
the NOAA lab at Sandy Hook, they are unable to conduct urgent research 
on climate change.
  One of my EPA workers said: ``Mr. President, please open the 
government. Do your job so we can do our job.'' I couldn't agree more.
  Members of the Coast Guard at Sandy Hook in my district are going 
without pay. These are the men and women who risked their lives to keep 
us safe during Superstorm Sandy, and they deserve a paycheck.
  An IRS worker from my district said: ``This is the first time in my 
life that I have ever had to go to a food bank for food. Not knowing 
where food is coming from is scary.'' And she went on to say that she 
fears being evicted from her apartment. This is an IRS worker.
  Madam Speaker, House Democrats have voted 11 times on bipartisan 
legislation. It is time to open the government, Mr. President.

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