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There does not need to be a government shutdown. My Democratic colleagues and I stand ready to vote for a bipartisan solution that will get through both the House and Senate and keep the government open, but Speaker McCarthy has not yet brought up one for a vote. There is a bipartisan proposal in the Senate, and I expect it would pass in the House if we had the opportunity to vote on it. The Speaker needs to put the country above party – and his own position —now before it’s too late.
The proposal I voted against today, along with all Democrats and several Republicans, would have made lives more difficult for working families. For example, it would have cut early education Head Start slots and reduced nutrition benefits for pregnant moms, children, veterans, and seniors. The bill would have made large cuts to Title I and IDEA, important programs that support low-income students and students with disabilities. And it would have cut the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program by a staggering 65 percent, leaving more than 5 million low-income households without heating benefits as cooler weather approaches.
There are real-world consequences to a government shutdown. During the last shutdown under the previous administration, I spoke with a TSA agent who, along with his wife, had to sell plasma to make ends meet. And if the government shuts down tomorrow, those who serve in the military will not be paid. This is an entirely unacceptable and preventable situation and I hope we can come to a resolution soon. |