Press Release
“Today’s announcement by Interior Secretary Jewell of $162 million in funding to help coastal communities rebuild natural barriers damaged in Hurricane Sandy demonstrates the Obama Administration’s continued commitment to help those affected by the storm.
“We need to energize our federal employees all over this government. Shutting down the government made no sense, it penalized people who were not responsible for what [House Republicans] don’t like…. But I want to thank each and every one of you.
“The success of our economic recovery will depend, in large part, on how well we can grow our manufacturing base, make more products in America, and sell those products around the world.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, my good friend Ruben Hinojosa. My other colleagues who are here who head up a variety of our Caucuses. And I’m joined by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, who will be speaking after I speak. And I am speaking on behalf of Leader Pelosi and myself.
“Today’s jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows that our economy added 126,000 private sector jobs in September and that the unemployment rate dropped to 7.2%, confirms that our recovery was still on the right track before reckless and irresponsible actions by House Republicans led to a shutdown of the federal government and threatened an unprecedented default on America’s obligations.
“Lorraine Miller is a trailblazing leader who has served our country with distinction as the first African-American Clerk of the House of Representatives, and she will do an outstanding job leading the NAACP as its interim President and CEO.
"I join in mourning the loss of Rep. Bill Young, with whom I was honored to serve in Congress for over thirty years and to work alongside on the Appropriations Committee for much of that time. He embodied the spirit of cooperation that helped achieve important bipartisan legislation - a spirit he continued to promote throughout his time in Congress.
“I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the passing of my friend, former Speaker Tom Foley, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Heather, and their extended family.
“By nominating Jeh Johnson to be our next Secretary of Homeland Security, President Obama has selected an outstanding public servant with significant experience in protecting our nation and supporting the work of law enforcement
“After sixteen days of a government shutdown and weeks of uncertainty as to whether our nation would be able to pay its bills on time, the House has now passed a bill to reopen the government and prevent a catastrophic default.