Jim McGovern blasts Republicans for long absence: 'Where the hell have you been?'

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) used a House Rules Committee meeting to sharply mock his Republican colleagues for their extended absence during the government shutdown.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, occurred after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill due to an impasse over extending healthcare premium subsidies.

Jim McGovern delivers scathing welcome to Republican colleagues

When the House Rules Committee meeting was called to order, Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) yielded time to McGovern "for any comments he wishes to make." McGovern immediately delivered a stinging welcome for his Republican counterparts.

He opened with, “Well hello, Madam Chair. Welcome back. Long time no see. I hardly recognize you guys. Where the hell have you been? It’s good to see you back in the Capitol building. We've been looking everywhere for you guys. Seriously, we were worried. We actually started handing out missing person posters. Nobody has seen you for eight weeks.”

He continued the ridicule by suggesting the Republicans had been on a break while the government was closed, adding, “But hey, I’m glad that you’re okay. I’m glad you survived your nice two-month paid vacation while Democrats stayed in Washington to try to end this shutdown.”

Jim McGovern condemns Johnson for inflicting financial pain on citizens

McGovern began the two-month period with sarcasm, but by the end of it, he was outright condemning the Republicans' actions. The Representative asserted that the general feeling of the public regarding the congressional recess during a fiscal crisis was one of disapproval. 

McGovern began with sarcasm, but by the end, he was outright condemning the Republicans' actions. The Representative asserted that the general public disapproved of the congressional recess during a fiscal crisis.

“But here’s the deal. Most Americans think that what Republicans did, skipping town in a shutdown, has been one of the most disgraceful, embarrassing, pathetic eras in the modern history of the House of Representatives,” he said.

McGovern blamed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for the extended break, contending that it inflicted financial pain on ordinary citizens.

“For eight weeks, eight weeks, Speaker Johnson let you all stay home while Americans missed paychecks, skipped meals, and watched their costs explode. Republicans quiet-quit their jobs,” he said.

Jim McGovern warns healthcare premiums are skyrocketing 

Democrats initially withheld their Senate votes in a bid to extend the Obamacare subsidies, but ultimately eight Democrats joined Republicans to support the funding bill without the extension. 

The subsidies are now scheduled to end on December 31, which would on average double the premium costs for 24 million people. McGovern said that constituents had sent letters demonstrating how their healthcare premiums were "skyrocketing."

He described the rate increases as, "They're doubling and they're tripling," and concluded that the premium hikes were "not because of Democrats, but because Republicans are failing to act."