WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, voted on Thursday to responsibly avert a government shutdown, supporting a measure that would continue existing funding levels for the federal government through December 11, 2014. The House of Representatives passed similar legislation on Wednesday and the bill will now go to the President for signature.

“While I am grateful we will not face another shutdown crisis this year, I am disappointed that the Senate has once again opted to kick the can down the road,” Senator Coons said. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have participated in the thoughtful and engaged process of crafting appropriations bills throughout the year. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Mikulski, the Committee passed eight appropriations bills, the result of hours of debate and hard-fought, bipartisan compromise between our members. Sadly, these bills never received a vote on the Senate floor, falling victim to the same partisan gridlock that has doomed so many good bills this year. American taxpayers deserve better than a government that operates on autopilot. I hope my colleagues will work to overcome their differences in the months ahead so we can return to regular order and fulfill our responsibility to our constituents.”  

In addition to extending government funding until December, the bill includes authorization to provide assistance – including training, equipment, and supplies – to appropriately vetted elements of the Syrian opposition to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“The campaign of terror perpetrated by ISIL has effectively erased the border between Syria and Iraq,” Senator Coons said. “In order to degrade and defeat this growing threat, we must bring to bear additional military and diplomatic tools. This includes ensuring that moderate and vetted elements of the Syrian opposition make meaningful advances on the ground against ISIL, retake territory, protect American interests and those of our allies, and weaken the Assad regime. A cohesive, trained and well-equipped moderate opposition will reinforce a U.S. air campaign, and eventually undertake the daunting challenge of constructing a stable, inclusive, and peaceful government after decades of dictatorship and years of war.”

Also included in the bill is $30 million in supplies and equipment to support the CDC’s efforts to combat Ebola in Africa and $58 million to develop Ebola vaccines and treatments for clinical trials.

“This bill includes critical funding to fight Ebola in West Africa, which has already killed nearly 3,000 people and is spreading at an exponential rate,” Senator Coons said. “I have repeatedly called for a stronger response from the United States and international community to contain this crisis, and this robust funding will help to answer that call. The continuing resolution gives the Department of Health and Human Services the resources they need to confront this virus and expedite the development of a life-saving vaccine. I am hopeful that our efforts will help Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and other affected nations begin turning the tide against this deadly epidemic, and ensure it does not spread throughout the globe.”