Senators Sound Alarm Over South Korea Ambassador Vacancy, Warn Of Significant Risk Of Preemptive Strike Against North Korea

Source: Senator Martin Heinrich - (D - NM)



Washington, D.C. - February 5, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led a group of 18 Senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), expressing serious concerns over the continued absence of a U.S. Ambassador to South Korea and asked for justification on the reported removal from consideration of a highly qualified candidate, Dr. Victor Cha, for that position. The senators also warned against the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation.

In a letter to President Trump, the senators emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic leadership, stating, “The challenge posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs is perhaps the most significant foreign policy challenge our nation has faced in decades. It is therefore shocking that the Administration – a full year into its term – has yet to formally nominate someone to be the ambassador, which is the highest-ranking U.S. government official in South Korea. It is equally disturbing that the individual being considered for this position, Dr. Victor Cha, who has extensive qualifications and experience, has been removed from consideration after receiving Agrément from South Korea.”

The senators outlined Dr. Cha’s extensive vetting and qualifications and raised concern with reports that the reason for Dr. Cha’s removal was his disagreement with a “bloody nose” strategy under consideration by the White House, and called for the Administration to provide clear reasoning and justification for his removal from consideration.

“Like many, we are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation. Ultimately, it is an enormous gamble to believe that a particular type of limited, preemptive strike will not be met with an escalatory response from Kim Jong Un and neither the United States nor our allies should take that step lightly,” continued the senators.

In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on North Korea on January 30, 2018, each of the expert witnesses believed that such a “bloody nose” strategy carried extreme risks. Last month, Senator Heinrich sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattisexpressing his deep concerns regarding the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation.

On January 30th, Dr. Victor Cha, posted an Op-Ed in the Washington Post arguing that “Giving North Korea a ‘bloody nose’ carries a huge risk to Americans.”

The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

A copy of letter is available here and below.

President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump:

We write to express our serious concerns regarding the continued absence of a U.S. Ambassador to South Korea and the reported removal from consideration of a highly qualified candidate, Dr. Victor Cha, for that position. We ask that you provide clear reasoning and justification for his removal from consideration.

The challenge posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs is perhaps the most significant foreign policy challenge our nation has faced in decades. It is therefore shocking that the Administration – a full year into its term – has yet to formally nominate someone to be the ambassador, which is the highest-ranking U.S. government official in South Korea. It is equally disturbing that the individual being considered for this position, Dr. Victor Cha, who has extensive qualifications and experience, has been removed from consideration after receiving Agrément from South Korea.

We may or may not agree with Dr. Cha on every issue, and of course an administration is entitled to the nominees of its choosing, but it is our understanding that the White House conducted lengthy vetting, including security and financial background checks on Dr. Cha and that the Administration had formally notified Seoul of its intent to nominate Dr. Cha. According to reports, South Korean officials quickly approved Dr. Cha through its formal process and South Koreans lauded his potential nomination.

While we reserve our rights to provide advice and consent on ambassadorial nominations, it is our understanding that he is an eminently qualified individual to serve at a senior level in the U.S. Government. As you know, Dr. Cha previously served as director for Asian affairs on the National Security Council under the George W. Bush administration. Dr. Cha also served as the Deputy Head of Delegation for the United States at the Six Party Talks in Beijing. Currently, Dr. Cha is the Director of Asian Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and is also a Senior Adviser and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Despite Dr. Cha’s qualifications, it is being reported that Administration officials are asserting that the removal of Dr. Cha from consideration was based on a flag that was raised only after the lengthy background checks and other vetting that, typically, an individual under consideration for nomination undergoes prior to their name being submitted for the formal diplomatic process of Agrément. As a result, we respectfully request that you provide the justification for his removal from consideration.

According to some media reports, the real reason for Dr. Cha’s removal was his disagreement with a “bloody nose” strategy under consideration by the White House. Like many, we are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation. Ultimately, it is an enormous gamble to believe that a particular type of limited, preemptive strike will not be met with an escalatory response from Kim Jong Un and neither the United States nor our allies should take that step lightly. In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on North Korea on January 30th, 2018, each of the expert witnesses believed that such a “bloody nose” strategy carried extreme risks. Moreover, without congressional authorization a preventative or preemptive U.S. military strike would lack either a Constitutional basis or legal authority.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are as high as they have ever been, and the Olympics are fast approaching. While we must always be ready to respond with decisive action to a North Korean provocation, it would be extremely irresponsible to instigate military conflict prior to exhausting every diplomatic option.

We request your immediate attention to ensure the United States has in place its highest-ranking diplomat to serve as Ambassador to South Korea. We urge you to nominate a qualified individual for this critical position as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Reps. Hurd and Aguilar Praise Senate Introduction of the Bipartisan USA Act

Source: Will Hurd (R-TX, 23rd)



Washington, D.C. - February 5, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) praised Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Christopher Coons (D-DE) for introducing the bipartisan Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act in the Senate. Like the House version, the Senate companion provides a permanent, legislative fix for DACA recipients and calls for smart border security measures to gain operational control of our borders by 2020. It is also a vehicle that will allow Congress to finally vote on long-term appropriations for our military and Department of Homeland Security.

“Our plan offers a permanent legislative solution for children who came here of no fault of their own – while achieving operational control of the border by 2020 – two things we all can agree on. I am pleased that Senators McCain and Coons are working together to introduce this legislation in the Senate so we can solve this increasingly urgent issue.” said Rep. Hurd whose district includes over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, more than any other Member of Congress. “Americans are tired of partisan gridlock. They deserve solutions. This is about Congress doing our job and it proves that Republicans and Democrats in both Chambers of Congress are willing to work together to unite and secure America.”

“Hundreds of thousands of young people are waiting for answers about their futures while Congress continues to talk rather than act. Now is the time to work across party lines to provide certainty to Dreamers,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “The USA Act is a targeted approach that can pass the House and Senate today. I’m grateful to Senators McCain and Coons for their leadership on this issue and for introducing the Senate companion to the USA Act.”

Hultgren Welcomes Encouraging January Jobs Report

From the office of House Representative Randy Hultgren (R-IL, 14th)



Washington, D.C. - February 5, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) welcomed news that American employers added 200,000 jobs in January, and wages rose at their fastest pace in more than eight years. Many employers with locations throughout the 14th Congressional District have delivered higher wages, more bonuses and more investments, and have cited as a contributing factor the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Click here for an ongoing list of employers who are taking action as a result of the legislation.

“My number one priority in Congress has always been getting Illinois back to work, and that’s going to be my continued laser focus. These jobs numbers at the beginning of the year give us great hope for 2018. American employers are enthusiastic about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and a predictable economy—and American workers and families are reaping the benefits,” said Rep. Hultgren. “Employers throughout northern Illinois and the 14th District are confident in the direction of our economy, and are already delivering higher wages, more bonuses and investing more to expand and hire.”

Jaime Herrera Beutler Joins Pacific Northwest Lawmakers in Opposing Oil Drilling Off Washington, Oregon Coast

Washington, D.C. - February 6, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Ahead of the Interior Department’s public meeting in Tacoma, Washington on February 5, Washington, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), led a bicameral, bipartisan group of 16 Pacific Northwest lawmakers in a letter to Secretary Zinke calling for the removal of the Washington/Oregon planning area from the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024.

The bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote, “We write to express our strong opposition to inclusion of Pacific Northwest waters in the Trump Administration’s National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024. The states of Washington and Oregon have made clear through local, state, and federal action, as well as extensive public comment, that oil and gas lease sales off the Pacific Coast are not in the best interest of our economies or environment.”

In addition to Senator Cantwell, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Sen. Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA) signed the letter.

Oil drilling and exploration off the Pacific Northwest coastline or an oil spill from drilling anywhere along the Pacific coast poses a devastating threat to the fishing, shellfish, and tourism industries at the heart of Washington state’s and Oregon’s economy. The maritime economy in Washington alone contributes $50 billion dollars to the state economy and supports 191,000 jobs. In Oregon, coastal tourism alone generates $1.9 billion in revenues and supports over 20,000 jobs.

“There is a reason it has been decades since the waters off the coasts of Washington and Oregon have been considered for oil and gas leasing,” the lawmakers continue. “Voluminous existing information documents the lack of oil and gas resources; absence of oil and gas industry interest; strong state and local opposition as expressed through laws, goals and policies of affected states; other uses of the waters to support our coastal economies that conflict with oil and gas activities; and extreme environmental and ecological risks.”

Here is a copy of the letter:

The Honorable Ryan Zinke

Secretary, U. S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Secretary Zinke:

We write to express our strong opposition to inclusion of Pacific Northwest waters in the Trump Administration’s National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024. The states of Washington and Oregon have made clear through local, state, and federal action, as well as extensive public comment, that oil and gas lease sales off the Pacific Coast are not in the best interest of our economies or environment. The Department of the Interior’s proposal to consider drilling off the states we represent, absent stakeholder support and directly contradicting economic and environmental factors of the region, is a waste of time, government resources, and taxpayer dollars.

The importance of marine resources to our regional economy and the level of local opposition to offshore oil and gas development cannot be overstated. The coasts of Washington and Oregon are home to numerous seafood and tourism-dependent coastal communities. Washington state supports a $50 billion dollar maritime economy and 191,000 maritime related jobs. Oregon’s commercial fisheries contributed over $500 million in personal income to the state in 2016, with an economic impact of more than $2.1 billion. In Oregon, coastal tourism alone generates $1.9 billion in revenues and supports over 20,000 jobs. An oil spill off our shores would jeopardize jobs in commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries, employment in the seafood processing industry, a robust tourism and recreation economy, a historic shipbuilding industry, and the clean water required for critical regional and international trade and transportation routes.

There is a reason it has been decades since the waters off the coasts of Washington and Oregon have been considered for oil and gas leasing. Voluminous existing information documents the lack of oil and gas resources; absence of oil and gas industry interest; strong state and local opposition as expressed through laws, goals and policies of affected states; other uses of the waters to support our coastal economies that conflict with oil and gas activities; and extreme environmental and ecological risks.

From healthy beaches serving as tourism hubs on the coast, to the 3,188 square mile pristine Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, protecting our sustainable marine resources is a priority for our states. As you finalize the Draft National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024, we urge you to remove the Washington/Oregon planning area.

Thank you for your attention to this matter which is of the upmost importance to our constituents.

State of the Union Guests, Immigration Reform, Cadillac Tax Delay and more...

The Ponder News
http://thepondernews.com
January 29, 2018



Congresswoman Bustos announces her State of the Union Guest: Sarah Miller from Galesburg
Cheri Bustos (D-IL, 17th)
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that her guest at tomorrow’s State of the Union address will be Sarah Miller from Galesburg, Illinois. In April 2016, when news broke that Galesburg had exceeded the federal “action level” in ongoing E.P.A. tests for lead content in water, Congresswoman Bustos strongly advised the city to apply for funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Over the next several weeks, working with city officials and the Illinois E.P.A., Bustos helped secure a $4 million forgivable loan through this program.
Read more...
https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-bustos-announces-state-union-guest-sarah-miller-galesburg/

Julia Brownly (D-CA, 26th)
on Net Neutrality Congressional Review Act Resolution
“FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s decision in December to roll back net neutrality protections was incredibly concerning. I’m proud to sign on as an original co-sponsor supporting the Congressional resolution to reverse this action, so that the net neutrality protections put in place by President Obama are restored. Rather than ping ponging back and forth from one Administration to another, Congress should pass legislation to lay down permanent rules of the road for industry, while ensuring that net neutrality continues to inspire innovation, create jobs, protect free speech, and enable the advancement of civil rights.”
Visit her website
https://juliabrownley.house.gov/

Dave Brat (R-VA, 7th)
on White House Immigration Framework
“The White House amnesty plan may capture the wishes of the Washington establishment, but it does not represent the promises President Trump made to the American people. Giving amnesty beyond DACA recipients opens us up to fraud and corruption, as those who never signed up for the program attempt to become eligible. If you ask voters in states like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania that swung to Donald Trump if this amnesty plan keeps his promises, they will tell you it does not.”

“House Republicans have been working to build support for Chairman Goodlatte’s bill. The legislation, while not perfect, represents a rational compromise that provides for DACA recipients but also reforms the underlying immigration system in a coherent way. We are interested in taking a common sense approach to ensure our immigration system works so we are not back here again in another 10 years dealing with millions more who came here illegally.”
Visit his website
https://brat.house.gov/

Brady Briefing: Building American Prosperity
Kevin Brady (R-TX, 8th)
President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union Speech this week. My guest is Jim “Mac” McInvale, a successful businessman, founder of Gallery Furniture and world-class philanthropist who embodies the American Dream.
Read more...
https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401033

Bonamici Invites Oregon Dreamer to 2018 State of the Union
Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1st)
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that a Dreamer from NW Oregon will be joining her at the President’s State of the Union Address on January 30.
Read more...
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-invites-oregon-dreamer-2018-state-union

Bishop Calls for Congressional Investigation into US Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics
Mike Bishop (R-MI, 8th)
Following the sentencing of former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar for sexual misconduct, Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-08) submitted a letter to Congressman Trey Gowdy, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Speaker Paul Ryan calling for a Congressional Investigation into the United States Olympic Committee and its subsidiary, USA Gymnastics.
Read more...
https://mikebishop.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=218

Rep. Black Signs on to Securing America’s Future Act
Diane Black (R-TN, 6th)
“With President Trump in the Oval Office, we have an opportunity to fix our broken immigration system and secure the border once and for all. Our current system makes our country less safe and fails to put the interests of the American people first. This is wrong and must be brought to an end,” said Congressman Black. “The primary responsibility of the federal government is to protect its citizens – our Constitution specifically grants Congress the power to do so – and the Securing America’s Future Act does just that. By building the border wall, strictly enforcing our laws and ending chain migration, we are securing our nation for future generations and putting the safety and prosperity of the American people first.”
Read more...
https://black.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-black-signs-securing-america-s-future-act

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN 7th)
On Section 201 Tariff Remedies
"While I support trade policies that strengthen American manufacturing and will put this nation on a fair playing field internationally, I am disappointed in the overly harsh ruling of Section 201 tariff remedies against imports of residential washing machines. Along with Secretary Ross, I attended the groundbreaking of LG Electronics’ $250 million home appliance manufacturing facility in Clarksville, TN last summer. As Secretary Ross said at the groundbreaking ceremony, “This is exactly the kind of job creation and investment that the administration is seeking for American workers […] I look forward to having LG’s high-quality home appliances made right here in the United States starting in early 2019.” This investment was expected to bring in 600 stable, high-paying jobs for Tennesseans. Unfortunately, these harsh tariffs will severely limit LG’s ability to scale up their operation, negatively affecting Tennessee jobs and American consumers. I look forward to working with the administration and other stakeholders to come up with remedies that reduce the economic impact of these tariffs."
Visit her website
https://blackburn.house.gov/

REP. BARRAGÁN TO ATTEND STATE OF THE UNION WITH PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED VETERAN AS GUEST
Nanette Barragan (D-CA, 44th)
Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán will attend President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday with Marco Chavez, a previously deported Marine Corps veteran, as her guest.
Read her statement
https://barragan.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-barrag-n-attend-state-union-previously-deported-veteran-guest

Jim Banks (R-IN, 3rd)
On Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
“One of the primary goals of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was to ensure our tax code helps American businesses compete in a global market, enabling job and paycheck growth here at home. As a result, we’ve seen numerous companies commit to investing billions in communities across America, including the latest announcement from FedEx. They plan to invest $1.5 billion to significantly expand their Indianapolis hub over the next seven years. This long-term investment by FedEx in the Hoosier state is great news and will support quality jobs and add to the robust Indiana economy.”
Visit his web site
https://banks.house.gov/

OMAHA POLICE SERGEANT & MEDAL OF VALOR RECIPIENT TO JOIN REP. BACON AT THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Don Bacon (R-NE, 2nd)
Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) will be joined by Omaha Police Sergeant Jeff Kopietz at the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on January 30. Sgt. Kopietz is a 27-year veteran with the Omaha Police Department (OPD), where he has worked in the Uniform Patrol Bureau, Weed and Seed Squad, Narcotics and is currently assigned to the Fugitive Squad/Metro Fugitive Task Force. A 25-year veteran of OPD’s swat team, Sgt. Kopietz has served over 1,000 high risk search warrants during that time. He also is a deputized US Marshal.
Read more...
https://bacon.house.gov/media/press-releases/omaha-police-sergeant-medal-valor-recipient-join-rep-bacon-state-union-address

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe resigns
Washington Examiner
FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe resigned effective immediately Monday.

A source familiar with the situation told the Washington Examinerthan McCabe is taking "terminal leave" for now until he can officially retire when his pension kicks in.

​NBC reported that his retirement would take effect mid-March. In December, the Washington Post first reported his retirement would come in the spring.
Read more...
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/deputy-fbi-director-andrew-mccabe-resigns/article/2647387

Brown on Trump Davos Speech: Take Action on Steel Imports Now
Senator Sherrod Brown (D - OH)
“President Trump is right that we must enforce the rules so American workers can compete on a level playing field, and he can start right now by taking strong action against China’s steel overcapacity,” said Brown. “China’s cheating is shuttering American factories and American steelworkers cannot afford to wait any longer for relief.”
Read it...
https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-on-trump-davos-speech-take-action-on-steel-imports-now

Veteran PEER Act will harness peer-to-peer relationships to more comprehensively treat veterans’ mental health conditions
Senator Roy Blunt (R - MO)
Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) to expand veterans’ access to peer counseling specialists passed the Senate Thursday night by unanimous consent. Peer specialists can be particularly effective in combating the risks of suicide and addressing other mental health needs amongst veterans.
Read more...
https://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=66392548-624E-4AB8-BCB2-4D658A4EE37C

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D - CT)
About the Trump Administration's Immigration Proposal
“This proposal is immigration hostage taking. Hundreds of thousands of young people are being held hostage in the name of the far right’s repulsive and repugnant anti-immigrant fantasy. The party of so-called family values has revealed itself to care more for its nativist political base than the actual families that would be cruelly ripped or kept apart under this proposal. One of its most heartless provisions would send refugee children back to the countries they have fled without even a fig leaf of due process – a proposal almost certain to send children to their deaths,” Blumenthal said.

“This is not a serious proposal and it was not offered in a serious way – it was leaked Thursday night after close of business while Congress was out of session. Instead of playing political games with the lives of children while hobnobbing with billionaires overseas, the Trump Administration must come to the table and engage in real negotiations with Congress.”
Visit his website...
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/

New CDC Study Shows State Tobacco Use Rates Remain High
American Lung Association
"Despite an overall decrease in use of tobacco products, not all states have seen meaningful reductions in tobacco use. Three states – Wyoming, West Virginia and Kentucky – have significantly higher tobacco use rates than most of the rest of the country, pointing to an urgent need for their state leaders to put in place proven effective policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States, killing 480,000 Americans each year.
Read more...
http://www.lung.org/about-us/media/press-releases/new-cdc-study-shows-state.html

Congress: Groups Oppose Using CRA to Overturn Restoring Internet Freedom Order
American Legislative Exchange Council
We, the undersigned organizations, representing millions of taxpayers and consumers nationwide, urge Congress to oppose usage of the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Restoring Internet Freedom Order.
Read more...
http://www.alecaction.org/update/congress-groups-oppose-using-cra-to-overturn-restoring-internet-freedom-order/

An issue for infrastructure reform: Too much road salt
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Faced with budget shortfalls and a decreasing ability to raise revenue, state and local lawmakers are ever eager to divert “savings” to their favorite pet projects. But during cold and snowy snaps, officials have long realized that massive quantities of road salt can cut down on cleanup and emergency response costs.

This cheap solution, however, comes with quite a few additional problems. Road salt is increasingly being recognized as a detriment to human health, the environment, and infrastructure, as reports from federal and state agencies shed light on the mineral’s unintended consequences. Absent long-overdue reforms, local, state, and federal incentives undergirding the salting system will continue to cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
Read more...
https://www.protectingtaxpayers.org/blog/a/view/an-issue-for-infrastructure-reform-too-much-road-salt

Tell Senators to choose life and nuke filibuster on S. 2311
American Family Association
Next Monday, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, S. 2311.
The bill bans abortion after 20 weeks. It is undeniable that unborn babies feel pain at this stage of life. Therefore, this bill simply protects babies from a gruesome and cruel act of barbarism.
See how you can help...
https://www.afa.net/activism/action-alerts/2018/tell-senators-to-choose-life-and-nuke-filibuster-on-s-2311/

Two-year delay of “Cadillac Tax” a timely, important step on road to full repeal
American Benefits Council
“We applaud Congress for approving a critically important twoyear delay of the 40 percent ‘Cadillac Tax’ on employer-sponsored health coverage as part of the government funding bill,” Council President James A. Klein said.
Read more...
https://www.americanbenefitscouncil.org/pub/?id=43c0cda3-d356-7a0a-fde8-e120671e4f67

We're Back!

The Ponder News
http://thepondernews.com
January 28, 2018

We're Back
The Ponder News
After 4 days of trying to download the Bitcoin Wallet, we've changed our minds. It was taking too long, and we have too much to do, and was missing too much because of it.

So, rather than download the Wallet onto my computer, we've chosen another route:

Blockchain Wallet

Sorry about the inconvenience, and we look forward to going back to work.

Click Here to sign up for your Bitocoin Wallet!
https://blockchain.info/wallet/#/

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Amata Welcomes Senator Hatch’s Companion Bill to Her House-Passed Air Service Legislation
Aumua Amata (R - American Samoa, At Large)
Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed newly introduced companion legislation from the honorable Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, that mirrors her bill to ensure reliable air service in American Samoa.
Read more...
https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-welcomes-senator-hatch-s-companion-bill-her-house-passed-air

1-25-2018 Sen. Alexander Joins Fox News To Talk About Immigration
Senator Lamar Alexander (R - TN)
Watch Senator Lamar Alexander on Fox News about Immigration
Click Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CS2QdVdcF8&feature=youtu.be

Banks Stop $17 Billion in Fraud Attempts in 2016
American Bankers Association
America’s banks prevented $9 out of every $10 of attempted deposit account fraud in 2016, according to the 2017 American Bankers Association Deposit Account Fraud Survey Report released today. Facing increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, banks have responded by investing in new technologies and enhancing overall customer protections.
Read more...
https://www.aba.com/Press/Pages/DDAFraud012418.aspx

Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Mental Health Reform
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
On Wednesday, January 20th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a hearing on mental health reform on the 114th Congress. The hearing focused primarily on the provisions of the Mental Health Reform Act (S. 1945)– legislation introduced by Committee members Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). While the Committee did not vote on this legislation, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said he wants to “move promptly” to put forward a series of recommendation from a variety of mental health proposals.
Read more...
http://aamft.org/imis15/AAMFT/Content/Advocacy/News_Events.aspx

American Action Network Continues Tax Reform Blitz, Releases $1 Million Digital Campaign
American Action Network
As support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues to rise, American Action Network (@AAN) is launching digital ads in 20 congressional districts illustrating the positive benefits of pro-growth tax reform. The $1 million digital ad campaign will run for two weeks as part of AAN’s $10 million commitment to promote the merits of tax reform following the passage of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The district-specific ads indicate several popular tax provisions, such as increasing the Standard Tax Deduction, along with the $2,000 tax cut a typical family of four will save thanks to Congress making pro-growth tax reform a reality. View the districts targeted here.
Read more...
http://americanactionnetwork.org/press/american-action-network-continues-tax-reform-blitz-releases-1-million-digital-campaign/

Trump to Give First State of the Union
All Sides
President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address on Tuesday where he will outline the economic benefits of the tax cuts and will present his plans for immigration, infrastructure, and trade.
Read more...
https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news

A Question Mark Just Saved James Woods $3 Million
Western Journalism
A single question mark saved one conservative celebrity from paying $3 million in defamation charges.
Read more...
https://www.westernjournal.com/question-mark-just-saved-james-woods-3-million/

CONGRESS APPROVES TWO-YEAR ‘CADILLAC TAX’ DELAY
Alliance to Fight the 40
The Alliance to Fight the 40 | Don’t Tax My Health Care has applauded Congressional leaders for including a two-year delay of the 40% “Cadillac Tax” in their bill to end the government shutdown and provide funding through February 8th. This two-year delay will push the effective date for the “Cadillac Tax” to 2022, and will help to protect health care coverage for the more than 178 million Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance.
Read more...
http://www.fightthe40.com/AlliancetoFightThe40/assets/File/Alliance/FinalCRVote012218.pdf

Solar Panel and Washing Machine Tariffs Signal Hope for American Workers
Alliance for American Manufacturing
The White House announced new tariffs on a flood of imported solar panels and washing machines on Monday. After determining that cheap imports took advantage of America's market, the president imposed tariffs of up to 20 percent for solar panels and up to 50 percent for washing machines.
Read about it
http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/press-releases/entry/solar-panel-and-washing-machine-tariffs-signal-hope-for-american-workers

FEDERAL REGULATORS RESPOND TO OUTCRY FROM ALASKANS CONCERNED ABOUT MINING IN BRISTOL BAY
Alaska Governor's Office
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday took a step that both respects due process rights of the mining industry and acknowledges the concerns many Alaskans have about the potential effects of mining in the Bristol Bay region.
Read about it
https://gov.alaska.gov/newsroom/2018/01/federal-regulators-respond-to-outcry-from-alaskans-concerned-about-mining-in-bristol-bay/

Government Re-opens, Missing FBI Texts and more...

January 23, 2018
The Ponder News Web Site
http://thepondernews.com

Julia Brownly (D-CA, 26th) signs as Co-sponsor to Protect Net Neutrality
The Ponder News
“FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s decision in December to roll back net neutrality protections was incredibly concerning. I’m proud to sign on as an original co-sponsor supporting the Congressional resolution to reverse this action, so that the net neutrality protections put in place by President Obama are restored. Rather than ping ponging back and forth from one Administration to another, Congress should pass legislation to lay down permanent rules of the road for industry, while ensuring that net neutrality continues to inspire innovation, create jobs, protect free speech, and enable the advancement of civil rights.”

Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th)
The Ponder News
“This latest revelation from the DOJ is outrageous, but not surprising. Peter Strzok and Lisa Page believed that then-candidate Donald Trump was a threat to this country and appeared to be taking steps, as sworn members of law enforcement, to subvert the will of the American people. Now, it seems that many of their text messages may have suspiciously disappeared.

“Few Americans would ever be allowed to offer up a specious excuse for losing information required for audit. Why should our government be any different? How is this different than the Hillary Clinton erased emails?

“As I’ve maintained since last summer, Robert Mueller’s appointment as Special Counsel is tainted. His position is clouded by a disgruntled former FBI Director’s potentially criminal leaks of government memos to influence an ongoing investigation. At every step of Congress’s attempts to provide Constitutional oversight to the DOJ and the FBI, we have been met with unparalleled resistance. My patience is wearing thin. The FBI is not an independent agency, yet its leaders appear to think they do not answer to Congress or the President. They are wrong. If they continue to lose or withhold requested information, they will soon experience the consequences that Congress can – and should – provide.”

Missing FBI Text Messages
The Ponder News
On Sunday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that it had failed to preserve five months of text messages between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. The end date of the missing texts coincides with the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Peter Strzok served on the Special Counsel’s team before being demoted due to the text messages he had sent to Ms. Page.
Send us your opinions!

Remarks by Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in Joint Press Statements
The White House
Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Israel and expressed Israel’s appreciation to President Trump and the Vice President for the historic decision last month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital.
Read it...
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-vice-president-mike-pence-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-joint-press-statements/

Ami Bera (D-CA, 7th)
The Ponder News
"This shutdown was a failure of leadership. Congressional leaders refused to sit down and hammer out a deal.

Washington is broken, but if we refuse to negotiate we’ll never fix things. Republican leaders have pledged that we will get to vote on critical issues, including a responsible budget, stabilizing the health care marketplace, and bipartisan immigration reform.

Congress is elected to serve the people. It’s time we stop bickering, roll up our sleeves, and get to work.”

Joyce Beatty (D-OH, 3rd)
The Ponder News
“I support keeping the government open, but Congress should not be funding government operations on a week-by-week basis that just kicks the can down the road. The House, the Senate, and White House are under Republican control, so I would expect that a long-term agreement could be reached to fund community health centers, natural disaster relief, teaching hospitals, and on a whole host of critical federal government programs and initiatives. We should not have to choose between funding our military and saving lives in our communities.”

Nanette Barragan (D-CA, 44th)
The Ponder News
“I voted against the fifth continuing resolution because we are right back where we started: another short-term funding bill that does not address critical bipartisan issues. I will continue to oppose any budget deal that does not protect Dreamers. And I will insist that any budget deal adequately funds community health centers, provides resources to combat the opioid crisis and offers relief for victims of natural disasters.”

Andy Barr (R-KY, 6th)
The Ponder News
“While it is three days late, it is nonetheless a positive development that enough Senate Democrats have finally agreed to what Republicans proposed all along: a short term funding bill that keeps the government open and operating, funds our troops, and ensures that millions of American kids can still access the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The end of Senator Schumer’s obstruction allows us to return to good faith negotiations on a longer term funding agreement and also clears the path for work on a strong immigration reform and border security bill.”

BARLETTA CELEBRATES NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
Lou Barletta (R-PA, 11th)
National School Choice Week (NSCW) is held every January to celebrate effective education choice options for children in grades K through 12. NSCW celebrates all types of education choice – from traditional public schools to public charter schools, magnet schools, online academies, private schools, and homeschooling. This year, over 32,000 NSCW events will be held across the country from January 21 – 27. Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), who is the father of two teachers, applauded the tremendous strides taken for school choice across America.
Read more...
https://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-celebrates-national-school-choice-week

Jim Banks (R-IN, 3rd)
The Ponder News
"This shutdown was reckless and unnecessary. I am glad Senate Democrats have decided to reopen the government and get back to work.

“This legislation is important for northeast Indiana. It stops the job-killing medical device tax for two years, which is vital to employers and workers in our region. The legislation also extends CHIP funding for six years, an important program that serves 13,155 children in Indiana’s Third District.”

Brian Babin (R-TX, 36th)
The Ponder News
“Senate Democrats have finally come to their senses and agreed to end the #SchumerShutdown and re-open the federal government. But let’s be clear: For three days, Democrats in Congress held our troops and children’s health care hostage in order to get their way on illegal immigration. In the end, their reckless tactics did not work and common sense prevailed. It is my hope that my Democrat colleagues will have learned their lesson and start focusing on the concerns of America’s citizens. The American people deserve much better than politically manufactured shutdowns that put a hand full of illegal immigrants over the safety and security of the American public.”

'Lost' Texts From Anti-Trump FBI Agents Are Basis To Dismiss Russia Investigation, Experts Suggest
Daily Wire
Legal experts say the revelation that the FBI somehow "lost" five months worth of text messages from two anti-Trump FBI employees could form the legal grounds needed to dismiss Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
Read more...
https://www.dailywire.com/news/26211/lost-texts-anti-trump-fbi-agents-are-basis-dismiss-ryan-saavedra#

No Deal: Schumer Yanks Offer Of Funding For Border Wall
Hot Air
C’mon, did anyone expect otherwise? Knowing that he was going to get clubbed by liberals for caving on the shutdown, the least Schumer could do to save a little face and soothe the progressive id would be to tear up the offer he made to Trump last Friday to carve out a few billion for the wall. Democrats just got thwarted on a DREAM amnesty; at a minimum, Schumer’s now obliged to thwart Trump on his big ask too.
Read more...
https://hotair.com/archives/2018/01/23/no-deal-schumer-yanks-offer-funding-border-wall/

Aumua Amata (R - American Samoa, At Large)
The Ponder News
“Authorization of CHIP for six years is great news for American Samoa, and I’m pleased the unnecessary government shutdown ended quickly. The Children’s Health Insurance Program helps make sure health care services are available to many children. Once again, we can count on this important plan being available to take care of needs and help keep children healthy.”

The End of the Government Shutdown Has Opened a Torrent of Media Anger at Democrats
Western Journalism
The three-day-long government shutdown ended Monday, sparking accusations from mainstream media reporters and liberal activists that Democrats caved on immigration reform.

Senate Democrats originally forced a shutdown by refusing to support a spending bill. They were upset that it did not address the roughly 700,000 illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and were protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

But on Monday, lawmakers reached a deal to keep the government funded through Feb. 8.
Read more...
https://www.westernjournal.com/end-government-shutdown-opened-torrent-media-anger-democrats/

Rick Allen (R-GA, 12th)
The Ponder News
“I am relieved that my Senate Democratic colleagues finally did what was right and joined Republicans to vote to fund the government. It is simply inexcusable that they kept funding for our troops and this government hostage for the past three days. We heard their message loud and clear ‘illegal immigrants are more important than American citizens' – and that is just plain wrong.”

US kills 150 ISIS fighters in Syria airstrike during government shutdown, Pentagon says
Fox News
While ISIS has lost 98 percent of its territory, the remaining 2 percent held by the terror group includes an area around the Syrian city of Al-Shaafah, where the strike took place. Top U.S. military officials believe the head of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is hiding in the area.
Read more...
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/01/23/us-kills-150-isis-fighters-in-syria-airstrike-during-government-shutdown-pentagon-says.html

Ralph Abraham (R-LA, 5th)
The Ponder News
"Thanks to immense pressure from the American public and President Trump, Democrats in the Senate have finally agreed with Republicans to fund the government. Their shutdown accomplished nothing - it kept funding from sick children, risked pay checks for our troops and failed to resolve any immigration issue. Washington can come up with some crazy ways to waste time and money, but this pointless shutdown that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi orchestrated probably takes the cake."

Comments on Government Shutdown From the Senate

Senator Lamar Alexander (R - TN)

“Tennesseans elected me to make the government work for taxpayers, not to shut it down. We are close to agreement on legislation to increase military spending, extend the children’s health insurance program, lower insurance rates for self-employed people, provide disaster relief and begin to deal with immigration issues. Democrats are voting to shut down the government; I’m voting to keep it open and solve problems. There is no excuse whatsoever for shutting down the government."

Senator John Barrasso - (R - WY)

“Nobody benefits from shutting down the government, especially when there are ongoing threats to the security and safety of Americans. I voted today to fund our military and extend for six years the Children’s Health Insurance Program for needy families. It is irresponsible that some sought this shutdown over their agenda on illegal immigration.”

Senator Michael F. Bennet - (D - CO)

"This is no way to run our government. In the last 10 years I've been in the Senate, we have passed 36 temporary budget extensions. Tonight's would have been the 37th such half measure. Another four-week continuing resolution would put us right back in the same position. Our own Department of Defense has made it abundantly clear how damaging these resolutions are to our military's ability to train and maintain its readiness to fight and protect our nation.

"Without a strategy, the President chose to end the DACA protections and urged Congress to legislate a solution. In response, a bipartisan group of senators worked for months and reached an agreement to protect the Dreamers. This should be part of any long-term budget package.

"In addition to this issue, we had substantial bipartisan support to fix how we fund the Forest Service and fight our wildfires, and to provide long-term funding for our children's health insurance program and emergency relief to help us recover from recent disasters. These should have been included as well.

"I am convinced that there are people of goodwill in this chamber who want to reach a resolution on behalf of the American people, and we should continue working until we do so."

Senator Shelley Moore Capito - (R-WV)
(With U.S. Representatives Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.) )

“We proudly cast a vote to do right by West Virginians—to keep the government open, to fund our nation’s military, and to reauthorize CHIP for six years. Sadly, Senate Democrats chose to play politics instead of work with us to get to the 60 votes needed in the Senate to prevent a shutdown. Senator Schumer, you are putting your political agenda ahead of what’s best for West Virginia. We have 21,391 children who rely on CHIP, and they’re waiting for you to help protect their health insurance. It’s time for you to set aside partisanship and work on the issues immediately before us so we can reopen the government, pay our troops, and pass a long-term CHIP reauthorization.”

Senator Thomas R. Carper - (D - DE)

“Anyone who knows me knows I believe that, if we work hard enough, there is almost always a principled solution to be found for any problem. This bill, which fails to address longstanding bipartisan priorities, is not that solution. Congress and the Trump Administration have got to stop scrambling at the last minute and governing through continuing resolutions that are woefully inefficient, wasteful and demoralizing.

“In Matthew 25, the scripture asks, ‘when I was a stranger in your land, did you welcome me?’ The idea of sending nearly one million Dreamers away from the only home they’ve ever known is not only heartless, but it flies in the face of our nation’s economic self-interest. A key ingredient in continuing our economic expansion is ensuring we have a workforce that enables employers from coast to coast to fill the millions of jobs that are going unfilled today. At a time when employers across the country are struggling to find high-quality workers to fill millions of jobs, it’s insane that we would send packing nearly one million hardworking young men and women who are striving for the American dream. That sounds like economic malfeasance to me.

“The months have come and gone, and Dreamers are still living in uncertainty and fear of deportation. Meanwhile, millions of families have been desperately waiting on Congress to pass long-term funding for children’s health insurance and community health centers. Communities across the country are struggling to rebuild in the aftermath of disasters. Americans from all walks of life are suffering as our country grapples with a deadly opioid epidemic.

“We in Congress have run out of excuses to explain why we’ve put these and other urgent issues on the backburner, and relied on multiple stopgap spending bills to keep our government up and running on autopilot. It’s an irresponsible way to govern that enables Congress and the Trump Administration to continue lurching from one manufactured crisis to the next without addressing some of the greatest challenges facing our nation.

“During his meeting with our Democratic leader in the White House yesterday, President Trump was offered the one thing that he’s sought the most—authorization for building a wall along our nation’s southern border. Apparently, that’s not enough. Walking away from that offer has to make me think that the president really meant what we said when he said previously that our country ‘needs a good shutdown.’ In truth, there’s no such thing as a ‘good shutdown.’

“If President Trump and my Republican colleagues come to the table, willing to negotiate in good faith, they’ll find earnest partners in me and my fellow Democrats. It’s time we come together and strike a deal.”

Senator Cathrine Cortez Masto - (D - NV)

“Every Member of Congress must come together and work to find a solution to end the Trump shutdown. I will not go home and will not take a salary for as long as my constituents are being impacted by President Trump’s irresponsible choice to shut down the government. Senator McConnell and President Trump have an opportunity to work in a bipartisan way for the benefit of all Americans. It is time to work together on a bipartisan compromise that puts Dreamers on a pathway to citizenship and ensures the long-term health, economic and security needs of all Nevadans.”

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that she will donate her salary as a United States Senator to a charity in the State of Nevada for every day the government remains shutdown by President Trump and Senator McConnell.

Senator Michael B. Enzi - (R - WY)

“I voted to avoid a government shutdown and fund a critical health insurance program for low-income children, but sadly the bill failed to advance,” Enzi said. “While short-term funding bills are not ideal, at this time it is certainly better than the alternative, which could mean limiting services for military families, veterans and countless other Americans. And it appears that some of my colleagues are unwilling to fund the government not because they oppose what is in the bill, but because of unrelated demands on immigration. Congress should continue its bipartisan negotiations on border security and immigration, but in the meantime should not hold government funding hostage over it. I hope my colleagues will reassess their priorities.”

Senator Deb Fischer- (R - NE)

“I’m disappointed the Senate was unable to work together to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, take care of our military, and keep the government open. I voted for this measure and I am a cosponsor of a bill to extend the CHIP program. I strongly believe we need to get this done for children in Nebraska and across the nation.”

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)

“Opposing this funding legislation is support for a government shutdown, and I believe that approach is unacceptable for Coloradans,” said Gardner. “I voted to keep the government open because our military, veterans, children’s health insurance programs, and fundamental government services like opioid treatment centers should not be held hostage for political reasons. I will continue to work with any of my colleagues who are interested in finding a long-term solution to fund our government.

“I will also continue to work with members on both sides of the aisle to gain support for bipartisan immigration reform that includes border security measures and protections for Dreamers, but shutting down the government over the issue won’t get us closer to a solution.”

Senator Lindsey Graham - (R - SC)

“Leader McConnell mentioned last night he was willing to make a proposal for a CR through February 8 and seek resolution on immigration, disaster relief, military and government funding, CHIP, and other health care related issues. I would support such a proposal.

“I also agree with Senator McConnell we are close to a resolution on all these issues.

“After extensive discussions with Senators, on both sides of the aisle, I believe such a proposal would pass if it was understood that after February 8, the Senate would move to an immigration debate with an open amendment process if no agreement has been reached with the White House and House of Representatives.

“This will guarantee the Border Security/DACA issue will be brought forward with an open amendment process for resolution no later than February 8th. I’m confident we can find a solution to Border Security/DACA once we start the process. Success on this will lead to a breakthrough on all other issues.

“After my discussions with numerous senators on both sides of the aisle last night it is clear to me a commitment to move to immigration after February 8th is the key to ending the government shutdown and finding resolution on all the outstanding issues.

“However, having the time only matters if there is the will to get the job done. General Mattis’s statement yesterday that defense cuts and continuing resolutions have done more damage to the American military than any enemy on the battlefield was very sobering. Military necessity —combined with the reality that DACA recipient lives will soon be turned upside down — provides the incentive for Congress to get it right once and for all.

“In light of these realities, I’m hopeful there will be overwhelming bipartisan support for the February 8 proposal.”

Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R - UT)

“Bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate supported a non-controversial bill to keep the government funded. But Democrats filibustered this bill, voting instead to shut down the government and block funding for CHIP. They own this mess. But now we need to work together to clean it up. And we won’t make any progress by continuing to invent imaginary deadlines. Now is not the time for political brinkmanship but for responsible governance. Millions are depending on us to do the right thing—and we cannot let them down. So let’s get this done, and let’s get it done right.”

Senator James M. Inhofe (R - OK)

“I have been through every shutdown in the last 30 years. This is the first time there can be no question if you want to say whose fault it is…it is the Democrats.

“Let me tell you, Mr. President, I don’t know of one Republican serving in the United States Senate that isn’t very sympathetic to the [DACA] kids, and particularly the ones who were not here by their own choice. They didn’t personally violate any laws. We want to take care of them. We’re going to take care of them. Our president is going to take care of them. …

“Yesterday, it was Secretary Mattis. He was very clear…he said a shutdown would have a ‘terrible impact’ on two million men, women and their families who serve in our military. A terrible impact. Now, there are approximately 200,000 troops currently forward deployed who are now doing their jobs without pay. Secretary Mattis said all maintenance operations for the military will cease as long as there is a shutdown. That’s all maintenance. When you go through a starvation diet as we have over eight years of the previous administration, the first thing that is always hit is maintenance because that’s not obvious. …

“In Oklahoma, we especially know what’s important – our civilian workforce. The civilian workforce, by the way, in a shutdown is going to be out of business…Tinker, the Air Force depot that performs the maintenance and overhauls our planes, they’re going to be shut down. We have another one in McAlester, Oklahoma. It’s one that has all civilian employees. We have one uniformed officer and all the rest of them are civilian employees… Over half of the civilian workforce will be sent home and those projects will be halted. The impact will ripple for weeks and potentially months beyond the shutdown; once we open back up there will be a high cost of catching back up and getting things back on schedule.

“We have to recognize we’re in this threatened position, and a lot of Democrats have long claimed support for the military, but when the rubber meets the road, they have the problem that was established when President Obama was president—that we’re not going to do anything for the military to rebuild the military unless we put an equal amount of money into the nondefense programs.…

“I sometimes tell people that up until 1964 we were spending half of all the revenues that came into the federal government on defending America. And that’s what we’re supposed to be doing…You know what it is now, Mr. President? It is 15 percent. So we’re only devoting 15 percent of our total revenues to defending America. …

“The one thing that shouldn’t happen at in this time in our history is to have a shutdown. I think about my state of Oklahoma. Six hundred and sixty-three (663) Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers are being sent home from planned training. Over 100,000 National Guardsmen are being sent home around the country…

“As we face threats from North Korea, Iran, Islamic extremism and Russian aggression-- not to mention our severe readiness crisis-- we can’t afford the negative effects of a shutdown.”

Senator Johnny Isakson - (R - GA)

“It’s time to stop the theatrics and get to the business of governing.

“For too long, we have been kicking the can down the road on an operating budget for our government. A continuing resolution is not the path I would choose for good governing. Now, we can’t even put aside partisan differences and agree to move forward on a continuing resolution under which we all agree on the big underlying priorities. We can’t even agree to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years so that low-income kids and their families can have access to the health care they need.

“We should immediately be funding children’s health care, our men and women in uniform, our veterans and our seniors as well as other critical functions of the government and not playing political games with our country and our citizens. Shutting down the government is the wrong solution and always causes bigger problems in the end.”

Senator Ron Johnson- (R - WI)

“Unfortunately, Senator Baldwin and 43 of her colleagues decided to play politics with people’s lives by refusing to fund health care for vulnerable children, support for the finest among us serving in the military, and the rest of government.”

Senator Tim Kaine (D - VA)
With Senator Mark R.Warner (D - VA)

“A year after Donald Trump became President, he and Republican leaders in Congress have delivered the shutdown he’s been calling for. Those who will suffer the most from his actions are federal employees and DoD personnel in Virginia who have already been hurt as we lurch from one budget crisis to the next. We put forward offer after offer tonight to prevent a shutdown and keep the government open over the weekend so we could work together to finalize a deal. Republicans rejected every single one. Virginians are counting on us to pass a bill that funds our military, education and health care programs, extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and protects Dreamers. We’re still at the table so we can reach that deal, and Republicans should reopen the government immediately and join us.”

Senator Angus S. King Jr. (I - ME)

“For 20 years, Congress hasn’t had a budget on time. Instead, we’ve opted to kick difficult decisions a little bit further down the road through continuing resolutions, leaving important priorities unfinished. This isn’t what our constituents sent us here to do, and we shouldn’t continue taking half-steps on issues that can be resolved in a bipartisan fashion. Nobody wanted to shut the government down, and we didn’t have to – there was enough middle ground between both sides to reach an agreement if only we’d worked together earlier in the process. Moving forward, I am open to a short-term continuing resolution that allows us to finalize the details of a deal, but first we need the framework of that deal. Now is the time for responsible governing; I hope Congressional leadership will rise to the task.”

Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D - VT)

Mr. President, months ago, President Donald Trump called for a government shutdown, and through his leadership of chaos and his inability to govern or keep his word, he got exactly what he wanted.

Make no mistake, it is the Majority’s responsibility to produce a bill to send to the President. If they cannot get 60 votes because they refuse to negotiate with Democrats, that is THEIR responsibility. All they needed was nine Democrats, and they could not get it done – in fact they lost four of their own members. They could not get it done because Republicans shut Democrats out of their closed-door meetings – disenfranchising more than half of the American people -- and only appealed for our support after they had written a bill without our input.

On the first day of this Trump Shutdown, the anniversary of his inauguration, we are 112 days into the fiscal year. For 112 days, Republican leadership told us they “just need more time” to negotiate a bipartisan deal.

But they spent that time pursuing a hyper-partisan agenda over the last year. They stripped health care from millions of Americans. They rolled back common sense regulations. And they passed a tax bill for big corporations and the super wealthy on the backs of the middle class and working people.

This was not time spent negotiating in good faith on the budget, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or for veterans, or Community Health Centers, or Dreamers, or a comprehensive disaster relief package.

Last night, Republican leadership asked us for yet another month to negotiate. Another month into the fiscal year. Another month of not addressing the consequences of sequestration by reaching a bipartisan deal that increases spending on our military and invests in our communities. And another month where we fail to adequately take care of our veterans.

Our military leaders agree. We cannot govern by continuing resolution, and the military cannot function under sequestration. We need a budget deal. It was Defense Secretary Mattis who said: “[F]or all the heartache caused by the loss of our troops during these wars, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of our military than sequestration.”

Last night, I could not in good conscience support another continuing resolution without even the promise of a bipartisan deal.

Democrats have been ready and willing and asking to negotiate since June. In July, I offered a path forward that would have raised the budget caps set in place by the Budget Control Act. This plan would have increased spending for our military by $54 billion and increased investments in our domestic priorities by $54 billion. Parity has always been the path forward. It has allowed us to both strengthen our military and invest in our infrastructure, improve education, combat the opioid epidemic, and address the needs of our veterans. These are bipartisan priorities shared by my friends on both sides of the aisle, in both chambers of Congress, and by the American public.

But for 112 days now, Republican leadership kicked the can down the road, casting aside the basic responsibility of Congress to fund the federal government. They gave us this government shutdown, and at the head of their charge was the careening leadership and chaos of President Trump.

President Trump was for extending CHIP in the House bill, and then he was against it. The President said he would sign any bipartisan deal we brought to his desk to protect the Dreamers and increase border security, and then he scoffed at a bipartisan deal that met his terms. This is not steady-as-he-goes leadership.

If we cannot trust the word of the President when we know he is only a tweet away from changing his mind, why should we trust him when he says he will take care of our veterans, or get serious about the opioid epidemic? Why should we trust his word when he says he wants to protect the Dreamers?

After promising to treat DACA recipients with “great heart,” President Trump and Republicans instead held our nation’s Dreamers hostage. They caved to xenophobic voices within their party. President Trump rejected a bipartisan deal—the only bipartisan DACA deal—which Senators Graham, Durbin and others specifically crafted to meet the president’s demands. As we speak, 122 Dreamers lose their status each day. And we know that on March 5th hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients will begin to lose their status due to President Trump’s actions. Republicans now argue there is no urgency to provide protections to Dreamers. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. And the Trump Administration has acknowledged to Congress that implementing any Dream legislation will take up to six months - during which tens of thousands more could lose their status. Since President Trump decided to revoke their protected status, these hundreds of thousands of Dreamers have had to live with fear and anxiety every day that their status is not resolved.

President Trump’s views of this program seem to change constantly, almost daily, leaving any observer prone to suffering whiplash. Dreamers have no reason to believe that President Trump will not prioritize them for deportation. Indeed, his administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately nullify a district court decision that protected DACA recipients. And his administration appears to have no sense of enforcement priorities. It has unabashedly detained a 10-year old Texas girl with cerebral palsy and deported a Michigan father with no criminal record who came to this country as a child 30 years ago.

Even the Majority Leader is uncertain of what the President wants for the Dreamers or for any path forward for that matter. The Majority Leader said earlier this week: “As soon as we figure out what [President Trump] is for, then I would be convinced that we were not just spinning our wheels.”

Well, we are spinning our wheels in the Trump Shutdown because Republican leadership waited for guidance from the President instead of doing their jobs, working with us, and sending a bipartisan deal to his desk. We are spinning our wheels because President Trump repeatedly called for a government shutdown, and he got exactly what he wanted.

Today, medical research has ground to a halt. Today, in Vermont and across the Nation, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed, through no fault of their own. In Vermont and across the Nation, every additional hour of the Trump Shutdown deals another blow to the men and women trying to recover from opioid addiction. Every hour the burden of the Trump Shutdown should weigh heavier on his shoulders. Because there is only one person in country who wanted this shutdown, and that is President Trump.

The Trump Shutdown is not and was not necessary. We have always had all the pieces. We all want to raise the budget caps set in place by the Budget Control Act and stop the devastating consequences of sequestration. We all want to take care of the bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program. We have a bipartisan agreement to protect the Dreamers.

We have all the pieces. We just need the courage to do our jobs.

Senator John McCain (R - AZ)

“The government shutdown is a direct result of the breakdown of cooperation in Congress. It has been clear from the beginning we would need a bipartisan budget agreement to lift the caps on defense spending and fully fund our military. Yet four months into the current fiscal year, we are nowhere near reaching a deal on long-term legislation to properly train, equip and prepare our forces in the face of rising threats around the world.

“As Republicans and Democrats run to cable news to point fingers and assign blame, the hard reality is that all of us share responsibility for this failure. For years, under both a Republican and Democrat-controlled Congress and White House, partisanship has taken precedent over national security. Political gamesmanship, an unwillingness to compromise, and a lack of resolve on both sides have led us to this point. Shamefully, no one will incur more harm than our brave men and women who have volunteered to fight and die for our freedom.

“Without long-term, stable and predictable funding for the military, our service members will pay the price. Troops will be denied scheduled training. Ship maintenance backlogs will grow. A depleted force will continue to shrink. And readiness will further suffer. At a time when more service members are dying in routine training accidents than in combat, asking the military to continue doing more with less is a disgraceful dereliction of our foremost duty in Congress to defend the nation.

“It’s time that both sides put politics aside, come to the table, and compromise on an agreement that will give our service members the training, equipment and resources they need to succeed.”

Senator Claire McCaskill (D - MO)

“While I voted yes tonight to continue funding the government, it's embarrassing how badly this place is being run. I'm disgusted that Mitch McConnell waited three months until after the expiration of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to decide it was a crisis. I'm disgusted that we offered the President border security measures he wanted, and yet he still chose the chaos of a shutdown. I’m disgusted most of all that we've quit governing in the middle, from a place of compromise and consensus, which is what Missourians expect and deserve, what I strive for every day. My focus now is on making sure we take care of our military servicemembers and our veterans during any lapse in government funding, and that we get back to governing as quickly as possible.”

Senator Mitch McConnell (R - KY)

“What we just witnessed on the floor was a cynical decision by Senate Democrats to shove aside millions of Americans for the sake of irresponsible political games. A government shutdown was one hundred percent avoidable. Completely avoidable. Now it is imminent. All because Senate Democrats chose to filibuster a noncontroversial funding bill that contains nothing –not a thing – they do not support. Perhaps, across the aisle, some of my Democratic colleagues are feeling proud of themselves.

“But what has their filibuster accomplished? The answer is simple – their very own government shutdown. Shutdown effects on the American people will come as no surprise. All week, as we have stood on the floor and begged our colleagues to come to their senses, Senate Republicans have described exactly what this will mean.

“For America’s men and women in uniform, shutting down the government means delayed pay. For the many thousands of civilian employees who support their missions, it means furloughs. And for the families of fallen heroes, it may well mean a freeze on survivor death benefits. For veterans who rely on our promise of care, shutting down the government means threatening their access to treatment.

“For so many Americans struggling with opioid addiction, the same is true. And thanks to the Democratic Leader’s decision to filibuster an extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, low-income families will slip closer to losing health coverage for their kids. And in many states this is an emergency.

“I’m having trouble understanding which one of those outcomes my Democratic colleagues could possibly be proud of. Which one of them? I think our friends on the other side took some really bad advice. I’d hate to have to try and explain this myself. They ignored the Governors, including seven Democrats, who wrote Congress, begging us to extend S-CHIP for nine million children. And they ignored the needs of millions of Americans who rely on the federal government for important services.

“They held all this hostage over the completely unrelated issue of illegal immigration. Republicans in the Senate have done all we can to continue the normal operations of the federal government and secure certainty for S-CHIP kids. We could pass it tonight, it could go to the president for signature, and these kids would be okay.

“We will continue to do all we can. We will vote again. So the American people know who stands for them.

“And when our friends across the aisle remember who it is they actually represent, we will be ready to come together in the bipartisan discussion that will be necessary to clean up all of this mess. We’ve all been having private conversations here on the floor. Almost everyone on both sides doesn’t understand how we ended up here. Because most of this stuff we agree on. There’s only one reason we ended up here: the shoehorning of illegal immigration into this debate.

“Now having said that, there is a lot of sympathy in this body for doing something about the DACA kids. It’s not like nobody is interested in that – we’ve been talking about it for three months. But the one reason we are where we are, is because we couldn’t close out any of these other component parts. Because our friends on the other side said we’ve got to deal with this issue. This issue is the key to getting defense spending. This issue is the key to getting help for S-CHIP kids. And on, and on, and on.

“I think most of the American people believe that shutting down the government for this issue – that doesn’t even ripen until March – is irresponsible. I’ve just listed all of the people who are going to be adversely impacted by this action. So we’re going to keep on voting. The government may be heading into shutdown, but the Senate is not shutting down. We’re hoping to talk and resolve this. I don’t think it makes this institution look very responsible. The American people should expect better from us than this.”

Senator Robert Menendez (D - NJ)

“This is government on life support – lurching from one short-term continuation of money to another… four Republican Senators voted [with Democrats] not to continue these short-term funding resolutions because they understand that we need to get the hard work of the nation done. Yes, four Republican Senators joined with Democrats to say ‘enough is enough.’ That’s a bipartisan view that ‘enough is enough.’”

Afterwards, Menendez tweeted a short video explanation saying, “How did we get here? Dems offered many compromises to FULLY fund the govt but Republicans rejected them each time. At the end, they chose to give the President what he asked for: “a good shutdown”. GOP must stop this foolishness & agree to end the #TrumpShutdown”

Senator Jeff Merkley (D - OR)

“President Trump and most Congressional Republicans are choosing to shut down the government rather than agree to a bipartisan deal. President Trump has been rooting for a shutdown and now he’s got it. This Trump shutdown isn’t a reality TV show - it’s going to have actual consequences for the economy and America’s families, small businesses, military, and kids will pay the price. It’s time for the Republican Congress and the president to do their jobs and take the bipartisan deal in front of them.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - AK)

“Shutting down the government is no way to govern. It is disruptive, harmful, wasteful, and impacts the thousands of Alaskans who are federal employees, contractors and all who rely on the services provided by our federal agencies,” said Senator Murkowski. “I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House to get the government back open as fast as possible.”

Senator Christopher Murphy (D - CT)

"Republicans asked to be given control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. They got it, and this is what America gets – total, complete dysfunction. The continuing resolution President Trump is trying to force down our throats is terrible for Connecticut – it guts funding for community health centers, inadequately funds our state's military contractors, and may lead to the deportation of thousands of immigrant kids. Instead of punting and passing a fourth continuing resolution, President Trump and Republicans could choose to sit down and write a real budget with Democrats this weekend, but they are refusing. That's really sad.

“I will be here all weekend, ready to work on a budget deal that is good for Connecticut and the country. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm hopeful enough Republican senators are willing to break with President Trump to work with us to get a deal done."

Senator Patty Murray (D - WA)

“Once again, Republican leaders have pushed us into a completely unnecessary government shutdown. Democrats have made clear, again and again, for months and months, that we want to work with the Republican majority on a bipartisan deal to address the many challenges facing the families we represent. But instead of working with us to get a result, President Trump and Republican leaders who control the House and Senate were more focused on pointing fingers and playing political games. This is no way to run the government and no way to treat families looking to Congress for solutions, not dysfunction and uncertainty.

“Now that Republicans have shut down the government, I am going to be doing everything I can to persuade the Republican majority to reopen the government and get to work with Democrats to increase investments in defense and domestic priorities, pass a long-term extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and critical primary care programs, and finally pass legislation to protect our DREAMers who have known no home but America and who now have to live in fear for their futures. There are bipartisan solutions to all of these challenges, and there is no reason for Republican leaders to stay in their partisan corner and refuse to get them done.

“This Republican shutdown will significantly impact families and communities in Washington state and across the country if it is not ended quickly and responsibly. I am ready to get to work with Republicans to fix the problems they have created, and I can only hope that they decide to put the people and families we represent above partisanship and politics.”

Senator David Perdue (R-GA)

“This Schumer Shutdown is absolutely ridiculous. It is totally irresponsible for the Democrats to use government funding as a bargaining chip. Democrats have created a false deadline by trying to tie illegal immigration to government funding. As I’ve consistently said, these are two totally different issues and should be dealt with separately. Ever since I was sworn into the United States Senate, I have been talking about the total collapse of the budgeting process. Only four times in the past 43 years has this budget process actually funded the federal government. These repeated failures have manifested into a pattern of short-term funding patches, continuing resolutions, that hamstring our military. This short-term mentality in Washington has got to stop. When Congress fails to complete its budget, the best outcome is that six or eight people determine how to spend a trillion dollars of discretionary spending. Clearly, Congress’ funding mechanism does not work and will never work. We are doomed to this cycle of fiscal irresponsibility until Congress reworks this budget process to successfully meet its Constitutional responsibility of funding the federal government.”

Senator Jack Reed (D - RI)

“Nine months ago President Trump said “our country needs a good shutdown.” Now Republicans are basically giving him what he wants, and wasting taxpayer dollars and creating uncertainty in the process.

“Americans deserve a fully functioning government.

“For months, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have prioritized corporate tax cuts over passing a budget that helps working families. Congress repeatedly passed short-term spending bills over the last several months in order to provide additional time to negotiate a long-term, bipartisan budget agreement. However, no real talks ever occurred and the President has provided contradictory and changing objectives.

“Now here we are, already four months through the fiscal year and Republicans are insisting on yet another one month stopgap.

“Enough is enough.

“Our military leaders have warned that this is a wasteful approach that constrains their ability to make long-term strategic decisions. And it doesn’t begin to address other needed priorities.

“For too long, the American people have waited for Congress to do the right thing and reach an agreement on budget caps, healthcare, immigration, and a host of issues. We need a long-term reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and funding for our community health centers, resources to combat the national opioid epidemic, and emergency disaster relief to help storm-stricken communities recover. But for months, Republican ignored the needs of working men and women. They prioritized corporate tax giveaways over passing a budget that helps our veterans, protects workers’ hard-earned retirement security, supports a strong national defense, and provides a pathway to citizenship for kids who were brought to this country by their parents and are contributing to their communities and serving in our military.

“The American people overwhelmingly support these priorities, and I think most Republicans do too. All we need now is a real deadline so a bipartisan agreement can be reached. I’m ready to work, and I hope the President and Congressional leaders join that effort.

“I'm ready to do my part to help end this impasse and reach a principled solution. I urge the President and my Republican colleagues to do the same.”

Senator Pat Roberts (R - KS)

“Kansans are sick and tired of the political games in Washington,” Roberts said. “They are not interested in leverage or brinksmanship. They want certainty. They expect us to fulfill our Constitutional duty to fund the government.

“Just three months ago, I joined my colleagues on the Finance Committee in passing bipartisan legislation to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years. Now we have the option of delivering six years, the longest extension in the history of the program. Unfortunately, that bipartisan support for this critical program has disappeared.

“While the minority is intent on the headlines from a shutdown, I will be working with my colleagues on a solution.”

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)

“For the 19th time in the 44 years since the modern budget process has been in place, the federal government has once again shut down because Congress could not get its work done on time. South Dakotans sent me to Washington to make informed policy decisions and be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Continuing resolutions, which are just extensions of last year’s budget levels, fail to provide long-term certainty and stability, while government shutdowns waste taxpayer dollars. Reform of the budget process is absolutely necessary, however our immediate responsibility is to deal with the current government funding crisis. I will work with my colleagues to end this unnecessary shutdown as soon as possible.

I have encouraged the bipartisan immigration reform efforts because the H2B visa program is important to many South Dakota businesses, and our economy in general. I support strengthening our border security as a priority. Progress is being made on this effort and we believe an agreement can be reached within a February timeframe. Unfortunately, while our Democrat colleagues have filibustered the continuing resolution, which includes Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding, and bear responsibility for the current government shutdown, I believe there are a number of them who are very serious about finding a solution. This is important to South Dakotans because there are over 16,000 kids eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program in our state. This program is currently in jeopardy.

I’ve been a vocal critic of the continuing resolution process, particularly regarding its effect on our military, but I agreed to vote for it this time because I have received assurances that a vote on defense appropriations will occur in the Senate. I’ll continue to push for improvements to our budget process – but this is not a balanced way to govern.”

Senator Brian Schatz - (D - HI)

“Nobody wins in a shutdown. It’s time for us to do the hard work of negotiating and compromise to keep critical government services going. I will continue to work for as long as it takes to solve this terrible problem.”

Senator, Richard C.Shelby (R - AL)

“It is unacceptable that Democrats would vote against a measure to keep our government open to do the work of the American people. I do not believe that shutting down the government is a solution to the problems we face as a country. A shutdown is destructive to the American taxpayer, no matter the circumstances.

“Republicans are working hard to keep the government running, and we also want to approve a long-term reauthorization of CHIP, which provides millions of children with needed health insurance coverage. While a long-term funding measure is preferred, this CR would allow Congress the ability to continue ongoing and proactive negotiations in an effort to approve a bipartisan, bicameral funding bill.

“Democrats have chosen partisan politics over funding our government, funding our troops, and providing health insurance to low-income children and pregnant women. The American people deserve better.”

Senator Dan Sullivan (R - Ak)

“Tonight, we saw a manufactured crisis officially turn into a government shutdown – something that was absolutely preventable. The bipartisan bill we considered tonight, which funded the government until February 16th, was voted down not for the items it contained, but for what was not included – a long term agreement on immigration for which we still have weeks to resolve. I simply fail to understand the logic behind the Minority Leader’s decision to shut down the government. Passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR) tonight would have continued the essential functions of government, provided critical funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for thousands of Alaskan children for six years, and given Congress an opportunity to address a long term spending measure.

“As work continues, I am hopeful that we can find a solution to reopen the government. The American people, particularly our veterans and troops, deserve better. Please know, my office stands ready to assist Alaskans, including those negatively impacted by this unnecessary government shutdown.”

Senator John Thune (R - SD)

“Democrats continue with their obstruct-at-all-costs approach by threatening a government shutdown over illegal immigration. The continuing resolution includes provisions that should be supported by members of both sides of the aisle — including funding for our troops and a six-year extension of the bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program. By forcing a government shutdown, Democrats are preventing our troops from receiving the resources they need to help keep our nation safe, and they are jeopardizing the future of an important program that provides health coverage to children in need. Democrats should end these partisan, political games and join us in funding the government.”

Senator Tom Udall (D - NM)

“Every day, over 45,000 New Mexicans work hard at our national labs, military bases, national parks and other federal installations and related contractors. They need — and deserve — thoughtful long-term budgets that will enable them to plan ahead and do the important work of keeping our nation safe, managing our land and water, and meeting the needs of our citizens. The Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House, but they have failed to pass the kind of long-term budgets that the members of the military say they desperately need. The Republicans’ four-week continuing resolution would have punted those decisions for the fourth time since the start of the fiscal year, with no end in sight. It also failed to offer a real solution to desperate needs, including protection for 800,000 DREAMers; certainty for millions of families who depend on community health centers; the Special Diabetes Program for Indians; and disaster assistance for Puerto Rico, Texas and other states still reeling from last year’s hurricanes and wildfires.

“We must do better than this, and that is why I voted no tonight. But let’s be clear: the only person who has said he wanted to shut down the government was President Trump. Democrats are ready and willing to come to the table to work with Republicans on a responsible long-term budget agreement. And Democrats already have been hard at work, with a growing number of Republican senators, on an agreement for DREAMers that also met all of the president’s demands. It’s unfortunate that President Trump so far has been unable to take yes for an answer and has preferred to pander to extreme right-wing factions in his own party.

“Responsibility for this government shutdown is on the shoulders of Republicans and President Trump — New Mexicans and the American people need them to show some leadership, come to the table and negotiate in good faith.”

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D - RI)

“I joined Senate Democrats and Republicans in voting against this stopgap funding bill because it did not provide the long-term stability our military and economy need and it did not address urgent, overdue bipartisan needs. Those include immediate resources to fight the opioid epidemic in Rhode Island and across the country, badly-needed relief for communities that remain ravaged by natural disasters and wildfires, reliable defense funding, and a path for Dreamers to stay in the only home they have ever known. These are all bipartisan priorities, but the Republicans refuse to work with us to get them done.

“And after months of refusing Democrats’ demands to fund a health insurance program that covers millions of children from low-income families, it is disappointing that President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress used children whose health care is now on the brink of running out as a bargaining chip to force the federal government to a halt. This is no way to govern.

“I will be working around the clock until we have hammered out a bipartisan path forward that reopens the federal government as quickly as possible with minimal disruption to Rhode Islanders.

Senator Todd Young (R - IN)

“When given the opportunity to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for more than 104,000 Hoosier children, provide for our servicemembers, lift the burden of the job-killing medical device tax, and keep government functions operating, some of my colleagues took a pass. For reasons I can’t understand, they voted to shut down the government even though they support the bill. I will continue working through the weekend to ensure that a solution is reached for the good of Hoosiers and all Americans. I will also be donating my salary to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation until the government reopens."