U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum: Donald Trump & Elon Musk are Forcing a Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement in response to the decision by House Republicans to abandon bipartisan legislation to keep the federal government open through March 14:

“On Wednesday, Republican and Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate announced an agreement to advance a short-term extension for federal government funding and provide long-overdue disaster relief and recovery dollars for communities. Later in the day when House Republicans saw a tweet from Elon Musk, which was cheered on by President-elect Trump, they made the decision to blow up this bipartisan agreement. Republicans are recklessly jeopardizing the economic security and well-being of all Americans due to the whims of an unelected billionaire.”

“Funding for the federal government expires at midnight on Friday, December 20. All Americans and Democrats in Congress are now waiting to see a plan for a clean Continuing Resolution from House Republicans that prevents a government shutdown and stops any provisions that threaten Americans’ long-term retirement security. Make no mistake, it is the decisions made by the Republican Majority and President-elect Trump that have brought our nation to the brink of a federal government shutdown.”