Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement calling on Republican leadership to pass a long-term spending bill to fund the U.S. government:
“I am deeply disappointed that despite having complete control of the White House and Congress, Republicans could not come together to pass a long-term budget and address urgent funding needs for everything from community health centers to the opioid crisis, which is killing one Mainer a day. President Trump could have avoided this shutdown by upholding his negotiations with Democratic leadership, but he and Congressional Republicans were more concerned with approving massive tax giveaways for corporations.
"This is no way to run a government. Everyone from General Mattis to the leadership of Bath Iron Works have said the unpredictability of continuing resolutions weaken our military. We can and must avoid future government shutdowns by passing a bipartisan budget solution so this kind of political theater doesn’t continue to hurt our military preparedness.
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve spent much of the last year working on the budget with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We’ve spent days in committee markups, fought against hundreds of damaging amendments, protected funds for vital government programs, and ultimately brought all 12 bills to the House floor. However, instead of following the regular legislative process, Speaker Ryan chose to put our military and federal workforce in limbo for days by offering up yet another budgetary Band-Aid—our fifth continuing resolution this year.
“I am ready and want to vote on a balanced, long-term budget as well as the DREAM Act to ensure young dreamers are not forced to leave the only country they have ever known.”
Following her vote against the continuing resolution, Pingree also released a video statement via Twitter.
VIDEO: Everyone from General Mattis to the leadership of Bath Iron Works have said the unpredictability of continuing resolutions weakens our military. We can + must avoid future gov't shutdowns by passing a long-term budget solution. This is no way to run a gov't. #mepoliticspic.twitter.com/fOpJsOF4pk
