WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate voted to continue existing funding levels for the federal government through the new year:
“This continuing resolution averts a catastrophic government shutdown and ensures our government will continue to fulfill its most basic responsibilities into January, for which I am thankful. However, the government cannot continue to operate under continuing resolution after continuing resolution. This bill’s unnecessary two-tier approach, which will see roughly 20 percent of government funding levels – including key priorities such as food, housing, and veterans’ programs – expire two weeks before the rest of the government, overly complicates the funding process. I urge the House to join the Senate and move forward in a bipartisan manner to pass full-year government spending bills.
“I also strongly believe that this continuing resolution should have included President Biden’s supplemental funding request, which would provide much-needed resources to Israel as it fights Hamas terrorists; military and economic aid to Ukraine as it defends itself against a brutal Russian war of attrition; humanitarian relief to civilians in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond; a record level of funding to secure our Southwestern border; and measures to support the security of our Indo-Pacific allies.
“We must make the supplemental request our main priority when Congress returns later this month. I look forward to working with my colleagues to safeguard American interests, support our allies, and fund our government in a responsible manner.”
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS).