I'm betting most of you have never heard his name although he's been in office for many years. I'm not surprised. He's not a flashy guy nor does he seek out the media. Just does his job quietly and reliably.
Today, I got to see a whole 'nother side of him.
He was arguing against this kind of nonsense:
From the transcript: [Ed: All bolding mine and my apologies for the abundance of caps.]
MR. YOUNG: MR. SPEAKER, THE PAY OUR GUARD AND RESERVE ACT WOULD FIX ETHE SIMPLE DRAFTING ERROR THAT EXISTED IN H.R. 3210, THE PAY OUR MILITARY ACT.
THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING SO THAT ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS, ACTIVE DUTY, GUARD, AND RESERVE, WOULD RECEIVE THEIR PAYCHECKS ON TIME AND WITHOUT INTERRUPTION DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ANNUAL TRAINING, WHICH OCCURS FOR TWO WEEKS A YEAR, AND INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS WEEKEND DRILL.
WHILE H.R. 3210 APPROPRIATED FUNDING FOR PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO PERFORM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE SHUTDOWN, IT MISTAKENLY OMITTED PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR PERFORMING INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING OR WEEKEND DRILL.
THIS WAS A SIMPLE TECHNICAL DRAFTING ERROR IN THE LEGISLATION.
Rep. Visclosky would have none of it. He called it out for what it was:
WE ARE PIECEMEALING, DESTROYING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DEFENSE AND THE ABILITY TO DEFEND OURSELVES OF THIS NATION.
And he was just getting started...
I JUST WANT TO REFERENCE TWO INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN IN THE LAST 10 DAYS.
THAT I AM APPALLED THAT WE HAVE SHUT THE GOVERNMENT DOWN OVER THIS FIGHT.
THE FIRST IS A MEETING I HAD WITH A CONSTITUENT OF MINE.
THE GENTLEMAN HAS WORKED HARD ALL HIS LIFE, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, THEIR FAMILY HAD INSURANCE THROUGH HIS WIFE WHO WORKED FOR A SMALL MEDICAL PRACTICE THAT WAS PURCHASED.
SHE WAS RELIEVED OF HER POSITION NOT BECAUSE SHE WAS A BAD EMPLOYEE BUT BECAUSE OF CONSOLIDATION.
THEREAFTER, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW HOW THIS STORY TURNS OUT.
SHE CONTRACTS CANCER.
MY CONSTITUENT IS IN MY OFFICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THEY ARE FORECLOSING ON HIS HOUSE BECAUSE THEY ARE BROKE.
AND WE ARE ARGUING ABOUT THIS.
BUT WHAT INFURIATES ME AND PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTMENTS ME IS I'M GETTING ON AN ELEVATOR ACROSS THIS AISLE AT ABOUT 1:00 IN THE MORNING, THIS TUESDAY, AND ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES GETS ON THAT ELEVATOR AND MY COLLEAGUE WAS GLEEFUL, GLEEFUL AND HAPPY AND CHEERY BECAUSE MY COLLEAGUE HAD CALLED THEIR STATE EXCHANGE AT 12:30 A.M. IN THE MORNING AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE AND THE SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE CALLING THAT NUMBER?
THEY NEED HEALTH INSURANCE.
GLEEFUL THAT GOVERNMENT DIDN'T WORK AND THAT'S BEFORE WE SHUT IT DOWN.
WHAT HAVE WE COME TO HERE?
WE HAVE THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
IT'S TIME WE START RUNNING IT AGAIN.
(Pete's portion starts at approx 2:30 into the video.)
Please let Rep. Visclosky know we applaud his passionate stand for the American people:
Northwest Indiana Office
7895 Broadway, Suite A
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
Phone (219) 795-1844 or
(888) 423-7383
Fax (219) 795-1850
Washington Office
2256 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone (202) 225-2461
Fax (202) 225-2493