Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding government funding:

Yesterday, the Senate took the first step toward avoiding a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown. The business before us now is to pass standard, short-term funding legislation to keep basic and essential government functions operating while work continues on full-year appropriations.

McConnell emphasized the importance of ensuring essential services are not disrupted, stating, "We’re talking about making sure that the servicemembers who will continue to stand watch around the world; and the border patrol and ICE agents who will continue to contend with the Biden Administration’s border crisis here at home; and the VA medical providers who will continue to care for America’s heroes don’t have to go without their paychecks."

The Senate is faced with a clear choice: fund the government for six weeks at the current rate of operations or risk a government shutdown without any meaningful progress on policy. McConnell urged his colleagues to consider the consequences of their decision, stating, "A vote against a standard, short-term funding measure is a vote against paying over $1 billion in salary for CBP and ICE agents working to track down lethal fentanyl and tame our open borders."

While there are important discussions on additional funding priorities that remain unresolved, McConnell highlighted the need to prioritize the basic functions of government. He expressed his eagerness to address various issues, including reining in the Democrats' spending, addressing the border crisis, providing relief for disaster victims, and supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia.

However, McConnell stressed that progress on these issues would be hindered if Congress fails to complete their work on standard, short-term funding. He asserted, "Those important discussions cannot progress if Congress simply fails to complete our work on standard, short-term funding, and the basic functions of government end up being taken hostage."

McConnell concluded by emphasizing that shutting down the government is not an effective way to make a point. He stated, "Shutting down the government isn’t an effective way to make a point. And keeping it open is the only way to make a difference on the most important issues we face."