WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement today condemning Democrats for what he described as their role in forcing a government shutdown, citing negative effects on national security and military families.
“Shutting the government down disproportionally harms our servicemembers and their families, threatens military readiness, and undermines our national security,” Rogers said. “Democrats are forcing American servicemembers to work without pay and delaying delivery of critical capabilities to our warfighters just to appease their radical left wing. We have a duty to support the men and women who defend our country. House Republicans have passed a clean extension of government funding with no gimmicks or partisan priorities. By refusing to vote for this continuing resolution, Democrats are refusing to support our troops.”
His comments followed remarks made on the Senate floor yesterday by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL). Speaking ahead of the midnight funding deadline, Britt urged Democrats to back a short-term continuing resolution to avoid what she called a “reckless and preventable” shutdown.
“Passing a clean CR this week is important for two reasons. First, passing the CR, of course, will avert a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown,” Britt said. She argued that Republicans had put forward a measure funding the government for seven weeks without partisan spending provisions, giving Congress more time to pass full appropriations bills.
Britt cautioned against long-term extensions, saying they would keep federal spending at “Biden levels” that she argued are unsustainable. “We must return to transparency, to accountability, and to regular order,” she added.
Both Rogers and Britt maintained that Democrats bore responsibility for the shutdown, while Republicans had advanced what they characterized as a clean, short-term solution.
