WASHINGTON, DC — With only eight legislative days remaining before the federal government shuts down, Rules Committee Ranking Member Louise Slaughter called out House Republicans today for squandering valuable time on non-essential and redundant bills instead of working to avoid catastrophe. Via their notice to the Rules Committee, Republican leaders have broadcast their intent to bring to the floor several bills restricting womens’ health options and limiting Americans’ access to justice—but none to deal with the impending closure of government agencies. What’s more, several of the bills being considered this week have already been voted on—some multiple times—and stand virtually no chance of becoming law.

“With just two short weeks before the government shuts down, Congressional Republicans have chosen to spend their time further restricting women’s access to health care instead of passing a budget,” said Rep. Slaughter. “The last Republican shutdown cost our economy $24 billion and forced our troops to work uncertain they would get paid. Yet, despite these threats, GOP leaders are ignoring the elephant in the room and running us headlong toward another shutdown. Instead of putting forward a plan to prevent a government shutdown, they are wasting our time with ideological attacks and bills that everyone knows will never become law. They should quit squandering valuable time and instead work on a bipartisan plan to keep the government open.”

On Wednesday, the Rules Committee will meet to consider several proposals which have already passed the House yet stand little chance of becoming law. H.R. 348, the RAPID Act, has passed the House three times, twice in the 113th and once in the 112th Congress. H.R. 758, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, has passed the House once already, during the 113th Congress.