ICYMI in Politico: Blackburn Warns of Security Risks During Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Politico's Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity, where she discussed the national security risks of the Democrats' government shutdown and her legislative efforts to ensure America leads the globe in the development of quantum technology. Watch the full conversation here.

Watch Senator Blackburn's remarks at the Politico Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity here.

'Adversaries do not take a day off': Blackburn warns of security risks during government shutdown
Anthony Adragna
Politico

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said she was hopeful the government shutdown would end "very soon," noting adversaries of the U.S. could take advantage of the lapse in federal funding to attack critical services.

"The shorter the better," the Tennessee Republican told POLITICO's Policy Outlook on Cybersecurity, referencing the government shutdown that took effect today. "We always have national security concerns about what happens during a shutdown."

"The shutdown is something that ends up costing money," Blackburn added. "Bad actors and adversaries do not take a day off, they don't take an hour off, they don't take a minute off."

Blackburn's comments come as Democrats and President Donald Trump have shown little indication of a resolution to the impasse. Much of the federal government's services shut down Wednesday at midnight.

Democrats have dug in over the year-end expiration of health insurance subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act.

Blackburn noted that three members of the Senate Democratic caucus - Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Angus King (Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) - joined with all Senate Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to advance a short-term clean spending bill on a vote Tuesday, and that GOP lawmakers would continue to hold votes on that measure in hopes of additional Democratic defections.

"I'm always ready to have a conversation with anyone who wants to make the lives of Tennesseans and all Americans better," she said.

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