WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered the following remarks at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference. Video of Senator Murray’s remarks is available HERE.
Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
“Thank you. I have been working around the clock—with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, with my leader—to put together a serious, straightforward, and bipartisan Continuing Resolution.
“Because, as I’ve been saying: there is absolutely no reason for a shutdown. And we showed that yesterday by voting overwhelmingly last night to move forward with this legislation.
“Let us be clear: this is a bipartisan bill that we wrote to make sure it could pass the Senate and pass the House—as long as it is brought up for a vote.
“And we wrote it so that we could begin to address the urgent issues facing our country and avoid a reckless government shutdown while we work to pass our 12 bipartisan appropriations bills here in the Senate.
“This package addresses major bipartisan priorities so Congress can continue support for disaster relief efforts and for our allies in Ukraine. It will prevent a pay cut to our heroic wildland firefighters. It will avoid chaos and furloughs for air traffic controllers and community health centers, and more.
“This is a meticulously negotiated bipartisan bill that can be signed into law as soon as it’s passed.
“And if any Senator—or extremists in the House—wants to force a shutdown, make no mistake: working Americans will pay the price—and by the way, a shutdown will be far more costly than simply keeping the government open.
“Not only would a shutdown be devastating for our economy—and jeopardize our credit—it will also cut off paychecks for our military, border officers stopping fentanyl, firefighters, and so many other public servants who are counting on the paycheck they earned to make ends meet. Not to mention the millions of contractors who work with different government agencies, as well.
“A needless shutdown would cut off parents and kids from child care they rely on through Head Start, patients from NIH trials and community health centers, and small businesses and farmers from loans they need to get by.
“And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
“So let’s be clear—the most expensive outcome here is a government shutdown.
“Now, I get there are still a few Senators who don’t care for what is in this bill. You can never make everyone happy.
“But there is no reason for any one Senator to weaponize Senate procedures and force a totally unnecessary shutdown.
“And there’s no reason for the House to not take this bill up either.
“If you don’t like the bill—vote no. Every single one of us has been in that position before.
“But do not force the entire country into a shutdown that will cost billions of dollars, undermine our economy, undermine our national security, and hurt families—just because you disagree with the vast majority of your colleagues.
“That is not a serious way to govern. It is not responsible. You know who is rooting for the United States government to shut down?
“Putin and the Chinese Communist Party.
“It is time for every member of Congress to step up and show some leadership.
“There is no reason we shouldn’t be able to pass this bill and avert a government shutdown—none!
“So let’s get it done.
“Thank you.”
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