Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered a passionate plea today on the Senate floor, urging Congress to pass straightforward, short-term funding legislation to prevent a government shutdown.

“Congress has three days left to pass straightforward, short-term funding legislation and prevent the federal government from shutting down," McConnell stated.

He emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “That’s three more days to provide essential resources at the current rate of operations before critical government functions come to a screeching halt."

McConnell made it clear that a government shutdown is not a temporary pause, but a harmful proposition that would hinder progress on key issues. He stated, “It’s an actively harmful proposition. And instead of producing any meaningful policy outcomes, it would actually take the important progress being made on a number of key issues and drag it backward."

Highlighting the financial consequences of previous government shutdowns, McConnell pointed out that they had cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion dollars in just five years. This included back pay for federal workers and extra administrative costs.

“America cannot afford for Congress to take government shutdowns lightly," McConnell emphasized.

McConnell specifically addressed the crisis at the southern border, criticizing the Biden Administration's failure to secure it. He highlighted the record-breaking levels of migration and the strain it has placed on border security resources.

“Meanwhile, flows of deadly drugs have made every state a border state," McConnell said. "In fact, the Border Patrol reported recently that in the past year, agents have seized enough fentanyl alone to kill the entire population of the United States."

McConnell also noted the detrimental impact of previous government shutdowns on border security personnel, stating that they have made their essential work even harder. He highlighted how shutdowns have delayed maintenance and repair work, endangered the lives of law enforcement officers, and created significant border security vulnerabilities.

“Mr. President, shutting down the government is a choice. And it’s a choice that would make the crisis at our southern border even worse," McConnell warned.

Despite these challenges, McConnell expressed optimism that his colleagues who shared his concerns were working to ensure that the short-term funding measure passed this week would provide critical resources to the men and women of Border Patrol and ICE.

As the deadline looms, the pressure is on Congress to act swiftly and prevent a government shutdown.

For more information, visit the official website of the U.S. Senate Republican Leader, Mitch McConnell.