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In the weeks and months ahead, the country will have to ask whether the President takes his legacy of debt seriously. Republicans and Democrats alike should heed the mathematical writing on the wall and urge the President to commit to honest spending reforms to make our country stronger. Read more »

"Fourteen days into the Senate’s forced shutdown and just days prior to government’s credit limit being reached, it’s time for serious bipartisan solutions to open government and get America’s debt under control. The House remains committed to a bipartisan solution to fully fund the federal government, but we need Democrats in the United States Senate to work with us to reopen services and address the reality of America’s staggering national debt." Read more »

After voting to open the WIC program and Head Start centers, remove barricades from National Parks and memorials, and ensure veterans are paid and their applications for benefits aren’t delayed, a bipartisan House majority today voted to immediately fund our national nuclear safety programs. Read more »

Border security programs should be up and running as part of our country’s Homeland Security system. While we wait for Senate Democrats to come to the table and negotiate a way to reopen our government and require basic fairness under Obamacare, Democrats and Republicans in the House are working together to get other parts of government functioning. Read more »

the leaders laid out the House proposal to temporarily extend the debt limit, formally appoint budget negotiators, and begin immediate discussions over how to re-open the government. No final decisions were made; however, it was a useful and productive conversation. Read more »

"After today’s unanimous vote from the House of Representatives to ensure the immediate distribution of final expense payments and survivor benefits from the Department of Defense, the shameful delay of that certainty will be resolved. The men and women who bravely and selflessly volunteer to wear America’s uniform and then give their lives providing for her defense are guardians of our freedom, and we are forever in their debt." Read more »

Thursday I will be attending a meeting at the White House with members of the House Republican leadership team. It is my hope that the President intends to use this time to begin good-faith negotiations with House Republicans to fund our government while ensuring fair treatment for all Americans under Obamacare, and to find common ground on critical spending reforms. Read more »

“House Republicans want to meet with Senate Democrats to find a bipartisan solution to reopen the federal government fully, but the Senate first needs to agree to be part of those talks. Refusing to negotiate a fair end to the shutdown or a fiscally responsible solution to America’s debt crisis is childish and unreasonable, particularly when divided government requires bipartisanship.” Read more »

“The common ground we share on the issue of making sure employees are compensated on schedule for their service should take precedence over any ideological crusade or desire to prove a point about ‘not negotiating.’ It is my hope Senate Democrats will take up this legislation quickly and agree to appoint Senators to come to the negotiating table to have a conversation with House Republicans about how we can work through our differences, reopen government, and be on the same team as we confront the coming debt ceiling.” Read more »

“House Republicans would still prefer to re-open our government all at once – and certainly as soon as possible, but it is impossible for us to shape a fair, bipartisan solution to do so when we are the only ones willing to sit down, talk to the other side, and negotiate. The fact that refusal to have a conversation has become the hallmark of Senate and Presidential leadership these days concerns me greatly, particularly as our country’s debt crisis demands swift action and actual leadership from the White House.” Read more »