Rep. McCollum Votes to Avert Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday evening, the U.S. House approved a short-term government funding measure by a vote of 366-34 that will keep the government open through March 14. Following the vote, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement:

“Today is a good day for the American people. By voting in an overwhelmingly bipartisan way to keep the federal government open and working for all Americans, the House of Representatives also rejected a dishonest stunt by billionaire Elon Musk and his most fanatic follower, President-elect Trump, to raise the debt limit to create room for massive tax giveaways to the wealthy.  

“It is with great sadness that Republicans walked away from an earlier bipartisan, bicameral agreement, and removed key provisions from that legislation, including support research for treatment and cures for childhood cancer, protections for Americans’ online privacy, a ban on junk fees, and a provision that would have reduced the cost of prescription drugs. However, the American people do not deserve to suffer the consequences of Republican irresponsibility, and I voted to keep the government open and working for all Americans.

“House Republicans had months to get their work done on time, and we only reached this point due to their irresponsible and reckless approach to governing. I’m glad that the government will remain open, but this frenzied week foreshadows the erratic, chaotic, unreliable four years that lay ahead of us with Donald Trump’s presidency.”