Date: 2013-10-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to start this morning with something that we. as Democrats and Republicans. can immediately address. Coming from a State that has sent probably one of the largest percentages of men and women to our faraway shores as members of the United States military and. in particular. Afghanistan. I stand here today to reach out to the Pentagon and to others to be able to embrace the five families that are now facing the most devastating news: that their loved one was lost in Afghanistan in a war over the weekend. Yes. as we bring our troops home. as Ive advocated for a very. very long time. as well in Iraq. our soldiers are still dying in a place of war. I want immediately for the $100.000 death benefit and the flight to Dover to be given to these families. Im reaching out to the Pentagon. writing a letter. and asking that this be immediately resolved. Last week. we passed legislation to indicate that the United States military would continue to be paid. I. as a lawyer. not in military law. could make the argument and make it today on the floor of the House that that gives authority to provide those death benefits and. as well. the transportation cost to Dover Air Force Base. If we can do anything. if we cannot do much. we certainly can come together around the brave men and women in the United States military. This shutdown is shameful. It is indicative of the worst of not appreciating the institution of this place and the priority of the American people. But I know that there is a great love and affection and recognition that. but for those who leave this place. the United States of America. willingly. to sacrifice their lives on behalf of the great freedom that this country promotes. the constitutional government that this country supports. and is valued through the Constitutionthere is no way that I will continue to stand here on this floor in the midst of a shutdown and allow this travesty to occur. So I am asking that we immediately respond to these individuals and these families. and we let them know that God loves them and so does this Nation. which appreciates and is grateful for the sacrifices of their loved ones. It is a grateful Nation. and we will not stand for this outrage that impacts these innocent families who now. not only are mourning the tragedy of the loss of a young life. but also the devastation of a response. I dont know why we continue in this shutdown that is. frankly. a situation that is. in essence. not following the parliamentary procedures. We know that the process of budgeting is a separate process from opening the doors of the government. and I just cited the tragedy that I want to have a solution to. But as I say that. I want us to have a solution to turning the tide on opening the government. We know that there are enough Republicans and Democrats who would vote for a clean bill to open this House right now. I say this because it pains me to hear of the tragedy that I just spoke of. which I look to be resolved within hours. and I say that broadly to the military families around America and around the world. But in addition to solving that crisis. we need to be able to open the government for veterans. In the next couple of days. they will see those veterans centers shut down. Those are the centers where veterans go for employment and benefit issues they have. A couple of weeks ago. I stood before the DeGeorge Hotel in Houston. Texas. which is now a veterans center and a home for homeless veterans. I was there with people who said. My life has not been the best. I served my country. but this is my home now. I dont want to move. I want to get on my feet and live in the DeGeorge Hotel. These are men and women who were willing to put on the Nations uniform and offer themselves in Vietnam and many places around the world and now have come to a point where theyre homeless and being served by veterans resources. and now were telling them that they cannot have the services that they need. In a couple of days. the Federal courts are looking at possibly shutting down Federal courts. So. Mr. Speaker. I dont want to hear from one of our Republican friends saying. This is exactly what I wanted. Im excited the government is shut down. Think of our military and our veterans. Lets come together to make a difference in this world.