美国立法议员们准备年终收官之战

美国立法议员们准备年终收官之战

The plight¹ of Syrians fleeing oppression and bloodshed should resonate with Americans who just celebrated² Thanksgiving according to President Barack Obama.

美国总统奥巴马表示正逃离压迫苦难及暴力流血事件的叙利亚人民的困境应该引发刚过完感恩节假期美国人民的共鸣。

The world is still full of pilgrims, many women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer,better future for themselves and their families.

这个世界依旧有很多朝圣者，许多妇女只是想为自己及家人争取到一个更为安全，更为美好的未来。

What makes America America is that we offer that chance.

美国之所以是美国就是因为我们能够提供这样的机会。

In the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris, the House of Representatives voted to suspend the admittance of Syrian refugees.

而巴黎恐怖袭击事件后，众议院投票决定停止接收叙利亚难民。

Our nation has always been welcoming,but we cannot let terrorists take advantage of our compassion³. This is a moment where it is better to be safe than to be sorry. The White House has threatened a veto if the measure reaches the Obama's desk.

我们的国家一直敞开怀抱迎接各方友人，但不能因此让恐怖分子钻了空子。现在这样的时刻，安全比同情更为重要。如果奥巴马得知了这一消息，白宫就已经威胁到了否决权。

But restricting refugees is one of many initiatives the Republican-led Congress could attach to a spending bill that must be signed into law by December 11 when U.S. government funding expires or a partial federal shutdown would ensue.

但共和党领导下的国会举措之一的限制难民可以附加到一项支出法案当中,而国会必须在12月11日前签署该项法案使之成为法律,否则美国政府资助期满，部分联邦政府机能将会面临接踵而至的停摆。

Republicans also could attach a so-called rider to defund the non-profit women's health group and abortion⁴ provider, Planned Parenthood. I don't think Planned Parenthood should get one red cent from the taxpayer⁵.

而且共和党人还可以附加一项附加条文停止资助非盈利性的妇女健康组织及堕胎提供机构—美国计划生育联合会 。我认为计划生育联合会不应该拿纳税人的每一分钱。

December 11 will be here before we know it. Democrats will work with Republicans to avoid an unnecessary government shutdown, but we will not accept riders that violate our principles."

12月11日的大限将至。民主党人将和共和党人合作以避免不必要的政府停摆，但我们不会接受违背我们原则的附加条款。

Republicans insisted they will press their party's policy goals. I've been around here a while. We always have riders on appropriation⁶ bills.

共和党人坚持实施自己党派的政策目标。我在这里已经有一段时间。我们的拨款法案总有各种附加条款。

 

End-of-year drama is nothing new in Congress, where lawmakers' resolve to stand and fight for their positions and priorities is tested by their collective desire to adjourn⁷ and get out of Washington for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

国会的这场年终大戏缺乏新意，现在在这里，立法者们争取地位及优先权的决心受到了自身希望休会，赶紧离开华盛顿享受圣诞节及新年假期集体意愿的考验。

1 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

4 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

5 taxpayer   

n.纳税人

参考例句：

• The new scheme will run off with a lot of the taxpayer's money.这项新计划将用去纳税人许多钱。
• The taxpayer are unfavourably disposed towards the recent tax increase.纳税者对最近的增加税收十分反感。

6 appropriation   

n.拨款，批准支出

参考例句：

• Our government made an appropriation for the project.我们的政府为那个工程拨出一笔款项。
• The council could note an annual appropriation for this service.议会可以为这项服务表决给他一笔常年经费。

7 adjourn   

v.（使）休会，（使）休庭

参考例句：

• The motion to adjourn was carried.休会的提议通过了。
• I am afraid the court may not adjourn until three or even later.我担心法庭要到3点或更晚时才会休庭。