Every Day the Government Stays Closed is Another Day of Democrats Ignoring America’s Priorities

"The Democrats shut down the government. They think they're hurting President Trump. Instead, the Schumer Shutdown is hurting the American people."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the costly impacts the Schumer Shutdown has on American families. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks

Sen. Barrasso's remarks as prepared:

"The American people reject the Schumer Shutdown. And yet here we are. It's Day Seven. That is seven days of wasted time and growing hardship for the American people. A new Harvard-Harris poll published yesterday makes that loud and clear. Seven in ten voters oppose the government shutdown. Americans overwhelmingly say Democrats should accept a continuing resolution at current levels of funding until the actual spending bills are passed. It's interesting because 13 times in the Biden administration the Democrats did exactly that, yet they are refusing to do it right now.

"Americans don't want their government closed. They want it open. They want it to work for them. They want an America that is safe, secure, and prosperous. They are sick and tired of Democrats holding them hostage with partisan demands. Democrats want free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The Democrats shut down the government. They think they're hurting President Trump. Instead, the Schumer Shutdown is hurting the American people.

"Across the country, the American people are feeling the pain. The headlines tell the story.

"One in New York says, 'Government shutdown threatens food access for Long Island's most vulnerable.'

"Another in Nevada says, 'Government shutdown threatens food stamps, jobs, national security.'

"In New Jersey, it reads, 'Hospital-at-home, telehealth programs on hold amid government shutdown.'

"And in New Hampshire, 'At least 1,800 New Hampshire federal workers to be furloughed or fired during shutdown.'

"These aren't statistics. These are families. They are our troops. They are seniors and veterans. They are mothers with young children, working families, and patients all across the country.

"The stress on American families is mounting. Paychecks for our service members run out in days. Reports already show signs of financial distress. Every day this shutdown drags on compounds the damage. Financial stress will become financial crisis for many families. Temporary hardship becomes lasting harm. The American people don't want it. They can't afford it. They want it to end.

"Democrats have now voted five times to keep the government closed. I've read their ransom note. Democrats are demanding taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. They want to cut funding for rural hospitals to pay for it. That is their price to reopen the government. They're holding the American people hostage.

"There is a solution to this shutdown. The House passed a clean continuing resolution with bipartisan support. It funds the government through November 21. Why November 21? I just heard the Minority Leader say there's been no discussion between Republicans and Democrats. Well, in fact, there has been. November 21 is the deadline date. Both parties agreed to it. The Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees said they needed seven weeks to finish their bipartisan work. That's right. Senator Collins and Senator Murray worked together on this clean continuing resolution. What we see now is Democrats fearing the wrath of the far-left wing of their party. That is why they're not voting to open the government. The clock is ticking. Every day Democrats hold out for their trillion-dollar demands is another day wasted.

"I hear Democrats claim they want to negotiate. Well, open the government. We are ready to negotiate. Every day Democrats choose to keep the government closed is another day spent ignoring and rejecting the priorities of the American people. If Democrats actually want to negotiate, they would reopen the government today. It's that simple. Today, the Senate will vote for the sixth time on a clean continuing resolution. It is something Democrats approved 13 times when Joe Biden was President. Senate Democrats have a choice. Vote yes and end the Schumer Shutdown. Or vote no and tell the American people why their pain and their opinion doesn't matter to the Democrats.

"Let me end where I began. Seven in ten Americans oppose this shutdown. Americans overwhelmingly say Democrats should accept the clean continuing resolution we are voting on today. The American people have spoken. They want their government open - and they want it open now. It's time Democrats listened to them."

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