Note: Statements will be added as they are provided to WAMC
New York Representative John Faso, Republican:
The government shutdown was completely avoidable and absolutely unnecessary. It’s extremely disappointing that Senate Democrats have shut down the government, blocking military pay and a full extension of the CHIP program, over a non-budgetary issue.
The House passed a bill that would have kept the government open, our troops paid, veteran benefits cases being processed and every other function of our government operating properly. Instead, Senate Democrats voted against this bill because they’re taking hostages over the DACA issue. The DACA deadline is March 5th and bipartisan negotiations are close to resolving that issue.
This is a cynical ploy designed to placate the radical left wing in the Democratic party who prefer a government shut down in order to get what they want on DACA. Senate Democrats need to put the interests of the entire nation first and end their shutdown extortion game now.
New York Representative Elise Stefanik, Republican:
“I oppose government shutdowns and while in Congress have consistently voted to keep the government open. During this temporary shutdown, I will continue working my hardest to serve you and my office will remain open to serve the needs of my constituents.
“Last night, Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would have kept the government open and funded. This bill also included a needed six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program that low income children in our district rely on.
“This is inexcusable. Our men and women in uniform and countless families who rely on federal government services deserve better than this.
“I will continue working my hardest to resolve this impasse and implore Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to end this shutdown and reopen the government immediately.
“In the meantime, I am cosponsoring legislation introduced by my colleague Congresswoman McSally that will ensure our troops and national security personnel are paid.”
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat:
“Congress must do its job. Serious talks and compromise by the Republican leadership and the President could have avoided this self-inflicted crisis – and still can. Governing month to month through short term extensions has the effect of a slow motion shutdown – short-changing and damaging our military, health care and opioid addiction programs, disaster relief, as well as protection of Dreamers. There is bipartisan consensus behind every single major issue before us: defense spending, funding for the opioid crisis and pensions, disaster relief, community health centers, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and avoiding mass deportation of the Dreamers. I will continue to call for good faith negotiations, but only Senator McConnell can call these measures for a vote and end this self-inflicted crisis,” Blumenthal said.“The President must lead, or get out of the way – because he is wrong in seeking a ‘good shutdown.’ There is no good shutdown. We must come together to end it.”
New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Democrat:
“A Republican president occupies the White House, and Republicans hold the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is outrageous that, even with unified control of government, the majority could not chart a course toward keeping the government open, the most basic responsibility of Congress. The Republican majority is now presiding over its second government shutdown in five years.
“For months, we have known about impending deadlines for government funding, protecting teenagers and young adults from deportation, reauthorizing children’s health insurance, and much more. Instead of tackling these challenges head-on, the majority dithered and delayed, focused instead on a massive tax giveaway to huge corporations and the wealthiest Americans.
“And presented with a bipartisan immigration compromise that could have paved the way toward a budget agreement and responsible appropriations law, President Trump rejected it out-of-hand, leaving 800,000 young people at risk of deportation from the only country they have ever known
“Now we are asked to pass a fourth Continuing Resolution, already nearly four months into the fiscal year. Governing by CR does immeasurable damage to our military and to every other aspect of the federal government. Perhaps that is why the majority could not muster a simple majority of their own members in the Senate for this irresponsible path.
“In 30 years in Congress, and 5 years as the Ranking Democrat on Appropriations, I have learned that shutdowns only happen when leaders fail to advance a funding package that can pass. It is time for the majority to work with Democrats to fulfill all of our critical responsibilities.”
New York Congressman Paul Tonko, Democrat:
Note: this is part of a longer email sent by Rep. Tonko on Saturday morning
"This is not a fight undertaken lightly. My Republican colleagues control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. They had more than a year to prepare, negotiate, and work to prevent this shutdown from occurring.
They do not need my vote, but my priorities are also bipartisan: permanent funding for children's health insurance, funding to take action on the opioid epidemic, long-term certainty for our military and domestic priorities, and protection from deportation for individuals who were brought to this country as minors and grew up as Americans.
Instead they spent that time working to cut healthcare and give themselves a tax break. Still, failure or not, we have a job to do. I will be here in Washington working to break through this impasse, this weekend and beyond."
