Senator Murray Remarks on Republicans’ Refusal to Negotiate Bipartisan Legislation to Keep Government Open

***WATCH: Senator Murray's Remarks***

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on government funding at this afternoon's Senate Democratic leadership press conference.

Senator Murray's remarks, as delivered, are below:

"Look, I have been clear: if Republicans want Democrats' votes, it's on them to work with us.

"There is nothing partisan or extreme about saying 'let's negotiate.' That's not some unreasonable demand; it is a pretty basic principle.

"Ranking Member DeLauro and I stand ready to continue our bipartisan four corners work that Speaker Johnson called an end to.

"Ranking Member DeLauro and I remain focused on a bipartisan CR that addresses the illegal pocket rescissions and other impoundments.

"If House Republican leadership wants to go it alone, Republicans should not count on Democratic votes.

"So, if Republicans want to prevent a shutdown, a good place to start is by continuing to talk with Democrats. Because, as I have said repeatedly, Democrats want to help the people that we represent.

"We stand ready to pass funding bills that address the cost-of-living crisis, that protect the funding families count on for child care, and groceries, and more. We stand ready to make sure Congress, not Trump or Russ Vought, decides how taxpayer dollars are spent. And we stand ready to negotiate legislation to address the health care crisis Republicans have created.

"Now, over the weekend, I had conversations with the four corners of appropriations about a bipartisan CR, but Republican leadership has, for weeks, refused to meet with Democratic leadership to discuss the path forward. And now, it seems, they have made up their mind.

"President Trump made his marching orders plain as day, saying, quote: 'Don't even bother dealing with them.' 'Don't even bother'-that's what he said. In other words: Trump doesn't want a deal. He doesn't want legislation. He doesn't want negotiation. He doesn't care if a shutdown hurts people. And Republican leadership is once again following his orders.

"So, House Republicans have chosen the partisan path, deciding they would rather cause a shutdown than so much as continue to negotiate with Democrats on a bipartisan CR.

"Well, I've got some news for Republicans: if you follow Trump's orders and 'don't even bother' dealing with Democrats, and you suddenly find you don't have the votes you need to fund the government, that is a Republican shutdown.

"Meanwhile, Republicans have made it pretty clear they will do literally anything except lower the cost of health care. They see premiums are set to skyrocket, and they're content to twiddle their thumbs in response. Hospitals are already closing because of the Big Ugly bill they passed, and they have zero sense of urgency. There could not be a bigger contrast with Democrats.

"Now, getting back to the task of funding the government: Republicans have a choice to make. Are they going to do what Donald Trump wants? Are they going to decide against working together and push America into a shutdown?

"Or are they going to do the responsible thing, the thing that is best for the American people, and sit down with Democratic leadership to actually write a bill together that funds the government and protects resources for our schools, for cancer research, for clean water, and other priorities Democrats are fighting for, such as lowering the cost of health care, because these things really do matter to the people we represent.

"I know what I want to do. I know what the people back home expect us to do. And that is: work together and pass legislation that helps people and solves problems Americans are facing right now.

"Now, let me be clear: the top appropriators were in discussion about our appropriations bills, but we were firm for the entire time that the leaders of our caucuses needed to have the say on final negotiations. Cole pulled out, and they have now produced a one-sided CR.

"Where are the Republican leaders? If Republicans can't even sit down with Leaders Schumer and Jeffries to simply have a conversation, then they cannot govern.

"Real leaders don't do negotiation through carrier pigeons. They don't outright ignore their colleagues when they ask for a meeting.

"To Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson: get in a room with our Democratic leaders, talk it out.

"That is a concept Americans understand."

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