Cohen: Democrats, President Ready to Negotiate, But Not While Economy & Jobs Are Held Hostage

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) spoke on the floor of the United States House of Representatives this morning about how the federal government shutdown started and how we can cooperate to help the middle class, pay our country’s bills, stabilize our economy, and create jobs. Video of the Congressman’s remarks is available here.

“If the Tea Party refuses to reopen the government unless they can take away health benefits from millions of Americans, where does it stop?” asked Congressman Cohen, before continuing: “Will they threaten government or economic shutdown unless the President repeals fair labor standards? Or unless the President and the Vice President resign? These tactics are wrong and they must stop.”

“Our nation, our economy, and the middle-class should not be held for ransom by an extreme faction of one party. The President and Democrats are ready to negotiate as soon as Republicans put the government back to work and pay the bills that they helped rack up. All we are asking for is a simple vote to end the government shutdown and to pay our bills so that we can avert an economic shutdown. We are ready to negotiate, but real negotiations cannot occur while the threat of default is hurting our economy and killing jobs.”