*Sequestration

“Madam Speaker, today we are considering a measure to fund government only if the Democratic Senate and the Democratic President will agree to dismantle the health care reform law that will help millions of Americans access quality, affordable care. That isn’t going to happen, and it is a blatant act of hostage-taking.

In response to last week’s continuing resolution that was pulled from the legislative agenda after the Republican leadership failed to gain enough votes from their most conservative faction, GOP leaders decided to move further to the right in pursuit of an even more reckless and partisan bill. 

“I'm sure that it will renew the discussions about access to weapons that can be used to kill a lot of people quickly. …  what we have seen in so many of these instances are that the perpetrators have given previous indication of instability, even inclinations to use weapons, and to talk about violence. So there was no doubt this was somebody who had a record of instability and certainly should have been, I think, subject to closer scrutiny, particularly in access to a facility such as the Navy Yard, or any facility that has large numbers of people in it, that has security concerns in the United States.”

MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP

Over the last few weeks, America has been faced with devastating stories and images from Syria, where the Assad regime used chemical weapons against his own people, including women and children. I stand in support of President Obama’s call to authorize limited but decisive military action, and also support his efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution that provides confidence to the international community that S

A look at headlines across the country reveals that the pain of the irrational cuts from the sequester continue to be felt across the country:

USA Today: Sequester hits special education like 'a ton of bricks'

“As you saw we had the 41st vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, today. Notwithstanding that, we didn't do anything else. That bill won't have any future. And we did not do what we need to do, and that is ensure that the government doesn't shut down on October 1st.

“Certainly I think [a diplomatic solution with Syria] is a very positive possibility. And if it bears fruit, it's going to be a very good resolution of this issue.

Pretty sure House Republicans aren’t wild about this afternoon’s headlines.  After yanking their partisan continuing resolution that continues the sequester and defunds the Affordable Care Act from the Floor schedule after failing to earn enough GOP support, the press went to town highlighting the GOP dysfunction.  Here’s a quick look at some of today’s coverage: