Chairman Cole on Day Eight: Negotiations on Appropriations are Stalled until Democrats Face Reality and Reopen the Government
Washington, D.C. – As the eighth day of the Democrat-led shutdown unfolds, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) joined House Leadership to emphasize the urgent need for Democrats to stop playing political games at the expense of government operations and the stability of the American people. Chairman Cole reiterated the importance of passing the House-advanced, nonpartisan continuing resolution—legislation that would not only reopen federal agencies but also allow Congress to continue its responsible work on full-year appropriations measures.
Watch Chairman Cole's full remarks here.
Chairman Cole touted the work of the Appropriations Committee to restore regular order before Democrats shut the government down.
"We've had a pretty decent year in the House Appropriations Committee. All 12 bills [passed] out of committee before September 30, three that we are in negotiations on with the Democrats. Those negotiations have gone very well. We're prepared pretty quickly to close once the government's reopened. We could get at least three bills [signed into law]. The President could sign them, and those things would be immune from the shutdown until the following September 30. Then we'd pick another group of three or four bills, and then we would do in cooperation with our Democratic colleagues, and start working on that. So the process was moving along pretty well. And then we had unrelated demands... It's hard to do much [on full appropriations bills] when the negotiations aren't happening, simply because the government is shut down. So again, we're prepared to work."
While Leader Schumer is holding the government hostage because of political threats from the radical leftist wing of his party, there are bipartisan majorities in both chambers who support efforts to end the chaos and reopen the government.
Chairman Cole said, "It's worth pointing out that a majority of the Senate is already on our side, a bipartisan majority of 55. So, this really does get down to Leader Schumer and the bulk of his caucus simply shutting down the government over items unrelated to what we normally do in Appropriations."
Chairman Cole remains optimistic that once Democrats face reality and reopen the government, progress will swiftly continue on full-year appropriations bills.
"When [Senate Democrats] make the mind that they want the government up and running, believe me, we'll move very quickly, and we'll try to move quickly from a CR status to passing bills individually or in small groups, and get [the federal workforce] up and working again, get the government restored and continue that process as we're supposed to do."
It's up to Senate Democrats to do the right thing, reopen the government, and stop the damage being done to the American people.
A working government—where our troops, federal law enforcement, and air traffic controllers are paid, telehealth services for seniors and in-home treatment options for Medicare patients can be accessed, furloughed employees return to work, small business loans can be attained, flood insurance policies can be processed, and women and children aren’t at risk of losing vital nutrition assistance—is within reach.
All it takes is five Senate Democrats making the responsible choice.
###
