Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., during a town hall meeting Sunday apologized for the longest shutdown in government history and defended his vote for Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker when he spoke of wanting new leadership during his campaign.
“I just want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry on behalf of our government to have put your through that,” Kim told a crowd in Pemberton Township according to Burlington County Times. “I’m sorry for those who didn’t get their paychecks. I’m sorry to the Americans who were impacted by the lack of services and the reduction of services. And I’m just sorry to everybody because you deserve government that works, you deserve government that functions and that’s open and is there when you need it.”
The partial government shutdown lasted 35 days and cost the U.S. economy about $11 billion, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said.
When asked by a Pemberton Township resident to explain his vote for Pelosi as House Speaker, Kim said the step was important to “make sure generational changes are coming and that there are new voices on the table.”
“I understand your concerns and I’m not saying my explanation right now is going to alleviate your issues,” he added. “But I do ask for you to give me a chance to continue on this ... I hope you understand what I was trying to do.”
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