Maryland’s U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen
UPDATE 9:15 p.m.
Washington, DC – After three days, the shutdown of the federal government is over. President Donald Trump has signed the stop spending bill passed by Congress. The federal government is now fully funded for the next three weeks.
UPDATE 6:19 p.m.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD- District 5) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed legislation to fund the government through February 8. Funding for the government expired at midnight on January 20:
“Funding the government by continuing resolution is not a responsible way to govern. While I am glad that our hardworking federal civilian workforce will no longer feel the strain of the Trump shutdown and will receive back pay, this continuing resolution only kicks the can down the road for a few more weeks. Maryland families deserve better – it’s past time for Republican leaders to work with Democrats to sustainably fund our government.
“I implore Republicans to come to the table and negotiate with Democrats to address important issues facing Marylanders, including setting funding levels for the current fiscal year and protecting DREAMers. I hope that Congressional leaders will use the next three weeks to come together to find consensus on the issues on which we agree.”
Previous reports
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to end the federal government shutdown. The upper chamber approved the three-week, stopgap measure Monday afternoon. The House of Representatives must now vote on the measure before it is forwarded to the White House for President Trump’s signature.
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland issued the following statement on the government funding bill.
“We now finally have the commitment we needed from our Republican colleagues to address key national priorities on a long-term budget deal – this includes providing funding for our community health centers, combatting the opioid epidemic, and a promise for a vote on a bipartisan bill to protect the Dreamers. That is something Republican leadership has refused to do before today, regardless of the public will. We must now pass the bipartisan Dreamers agreement in the Senate and bring the full weight of the public to pass it in the House.
“With the new commitments, we were able to find agreement to reopen the federal government – something that is paramount importance to millions of Americans across the country, including our dedicated federal workforce here in Maryland. Over the coming weeks, we must come together meet these priorities.”
Previous story
Washington, DC – On day three of the federal government shutdown, the Senate voted to reopen after reaching a compromise between Republican and Democratic leaders. In part with negotiations, the Democrats agreed to pass a stopgap spending measure until Feb. 8 in exchange for an opportunity to vote on an immigration bill next month. In a preliminary vote, the Senate passed the bill 81-18. The senate is expected to vote again Monday afternoon for a final passage of the bill.
After the Senate passes the bill, it will go to the House for a final vote, which is also expected to pass.
Senator Ben Cardin (D -MD) released the following statement following the Senate vote.
“Four months into the fiscal year, Republicans, who control the White House and both houses of Congress, finally understand that we cannot govern from continuing resolution to continuing resolution. It took extreme measures to get us to this point. Leader McConnell will be held to his word that we will have a spending bill that addresses both defense and non-defense priorities, along with a fair opportunity to pass immigration reform.
“Democrats never wanted to see the federal government shut down, even for a few days, but we needed to take a stand to keep this budget can from being kicked down the road again and again and again. For Marylanders who work for or support the federal government, including our military personnel, the frustration and hurt of a shutdown has hit especially hard. There is no such thing as a ‘good shutdown,’ as the president characterized it. I’m proud of the military and civilian workers in Maryland who support our federal government, and will do all I can to ensure they are made whole after this experience. These public servants represent the best of America and they deserve our respect and gratitude.”
The vote to reopen the government will end a furlough that effected thousands of federal government employees.