Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–October 4, 2013. Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor, thanking members of the Capitol Police Force for their bravery and dedication. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Every day members of Congress come to work at the United States Capitol with the knowledge that a team of dedicated police officers will be here to keep us and members of our staff safe from harm. Yesterday’s events were a sobering reminder of that fact.
My thoughts are with Officer Brian Carter, a 23-year veteran of the Capitol Police Force, who was injured during yesterday’s incident. I spoke to him yesterday, and he said he is expected to make a full recovery. I wish him and his family the best during this difficult time. I also wish a speedy recovery to the Secret Service agent who was injured yesterday, as well.
The brave men and women of the Capitol Police Force and other law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line every day simply because it’s their job to do so. And my thanks go out to every Capitol Police officer. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.
I want to remind everyone listening to my words that yesterday, today and every day that the federal government remains closed for business these Capitol Police officers – and tens of thousands of other public servants, including many law enforcement officials – are working without pay. Hundreds of thousands more, such as the intelligence officers who keep this nation safe, have been forced to leave their jobs and forego their paychecks altogether. And because of these furloughs, the Capitol Police, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies face additional risk, as they are asked to do their jobs with limited manpower and without the support they can typically depend upon.
Congress owes it to them, and to every American family, to get past our differences, work through our disagreements and reopen the United States federal government.
Source: reid.senate.gov
