Nebraska leaders speak out on government shutdown

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The U.S. government is on the brink of the first federal government shutdown in almost seven years as Senate Democrats have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government.

The 55-45 vote Tuesday on the bill to extend federal funding for seven weeks fell short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation.

It came as Democrats are making good on their threat to close the government if President Donald Trump and Republicans won’t accede to their health care demands.

THE LATEST: Democrats vote down federal funding bill, putting government on path to shutdown

The Senate has adjourned for the day without extending government funding, meaning a shutdown is certain at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Several Nebraska leaders released statements amid the shutdown.

Rep. Don Bacon thanked select democrats for “choosing American’s over party.”

“Republicans passed a clean, short-term CR with no additional funding except for security for Members of Congress and Federal office holders such as judges. Schumer and Jeffries catered to their far-left base by opposing a clean CR. Many Republicans are willing to negotiate on ACA tax credits as part of the normal appropriations process that will require bipartisanship to pass, but it is very unusual for either party to oppose a clean CR. Under the Biden Administration, Republicans worked with Democrats to pass a clean CR 13 times. I would like to thank Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Sen. Angus King of Maine, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, for choosing Americans over party.”

U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith called the shutdown “unfortunate and avoidable.”

“This unfortunate shutdown was avoidable. Earlier in September, House Republicans passed a bill to provide time to responsibly address spending. The fact Democrats don’t want our country to move forward while they make ideological demands is unfortunate for veterans and others who are served by federal agencies, for our servicemembers who are now at risk of going without pay for a time, and for the American people.”

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood noted that the National Flood Insurance Program would be “severely impacted.”

“A federal government shutdown is looming as Washington Democrats hold up government funding. One of the consequences of this will be that the National Flood Insurance Program will be severely impacted at midnight tonight. This means no new flood insurance contracts will be issued and consequently real estate transactions that require flood insurance may get held up. Democrats need to come to the table and vote to keep the government open, so we can make Washington work for the people and keep critical programs like flood insurance available.”

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts also released a statement, saying he would continue working to responsibly fund the government.

“The Democrats just voted to shutdown government.  They voted against a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would have funded government for seven weeks. Previously, they had voted for this exact budget. In fact, Democrats voted for a clean CR 13 times under Joe Biden. This Schumer Shutdown is the height of hypocrisy. Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats know this.  Yet they continue to hold the nation hostage.  Senate Republicans will continue working to responsibly fund the government.   This is a Schumer Shutdown.”

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer stated her offices would remain open during the duration of the shutdown.

“Today, I voted for a clean funding resolution that keeps the government open so Congress can continue working on our full-year funding bills. The Democrats, instead, voted for a $1 trillion increase in new spending and to eliminate the $50 billion Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund. Let me be clear: Americans deserve a transparent and accountable process as we fund government – not a Schumer shutdown filled with political theater. As we work toward a solution, my staff and I will continue to work for Nebraska, and my offices will remain open for the duration of a government shutdown.”