Shaheen Statement on Short-Term Government Funding Bill

(Washington, DC) — Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement after voting in favor of short-term funding legislation to keep the government open until January 19, 2018.

“While I’m very relieved that Congress has temporarily avoided a government shutdown, I’m disappointed that Republican leadership in both the Senate and House refuse to prioritize a long-term, bipartisan bill to responsibly fund the government,” said Senator Shaheen. “Short-term patches like this keep the lights on but don’t give federal agencies the foresight they need to properly serve the American people. When Congress returns in January, bipartisan efforts will be critical in producing a long-term funding bill that also provides the resources our first responders and treatment providers desperately need to fight the opioid epidemic. I also remain tremendously concerned about the expiration of the Children’s Health Insurance and Community Health Centers programs and the lack of progress on legislation to protect DREAMers. These are all issues that will demand the immediate attention of Congress in the new year and require Republican leadership to set aside this tremendously damaging brinkmanship.”