Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven has released a statement regarding the impending government shutdown, attributing the situation to Senate Democrats' refusal to approve a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through November 21. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed this legislation.

Hoeven emphasized bipartisan cooperation in the appropriations process earlier in the year, stating: “Throughout this year, we have taken a bipartisan approach to the annual appropriations process in the Senate, with the bills we’ve advanced so far receiving broad support from both parties in committee and on the Senate floor. Senate Democrats have decided to suspend this process and force a shutdown over a list of partisan demands totaling more than $1 trillion. During President Biden’s term, Congress passed 13 clean CRs, with 96 percent of Democrats voting in support of those bills, so why are they not willing to join us in passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution now? This would keep the government funded and give us time to finish our appropriations work under regular order.”

The ongoing disagreement centers on whether to pass an unamended funding extension or address additional priorities before government funding expires.