Crisis at hand: The U.S. Government will shutdown after Friday, March 14, if Congress does not act to pass, and President Trump does not sign, a CR or Continuing Resolution. The current government funding authorization runs out at 12:01 AM on March 15. Even this much running room for the government was the result of a CR passed back in December of last year.
If the Republicans can’t figure out how to pass a spending bill with Democrat support in the matter of the next few days, the government shuts down – and that’s on the Republicans.
Message for Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith:
Support a government that is for all Americans by voting NO on the continuing resolution passed by the House on Tuesday, March 11. Vote for a clean, short term CR.
Republicans need to work with Democrats and draft a bipartisan CR that continues for two to three months the government funding and programs currently in place with no cuts or changes in funding levels.
Background:
The spending bill passed on Tuesday afternoon by the House Republicans opens the door for Elon Musk and his minions to ransack the existing government, allowing Congressional Republicans to wash their hands of the mess. In addition, it adds $6 million in spending for the military and immigrant deportation, while cutting $13 million in non-defense programs.
Now that the House has passed its version of the CR it needs to be passed by the Senate. The CR itself needs a majority to pass. If all the Senate Republicans get together, they can pass the CR. However, in order to get to the Senate floor, the CR must survive a filibuster. It takes 60 votes to end a filibuster and the Republicans alone don’t have that many votes.
The stark reality is the government needs to be funded. Because the Republicans, who after all have a trifecta, have been unable to pass a budget for the fiscal year along with all the necessary supporting legislation, the only way to keep the government open is through a continuing resolution. Bottom line, there needs to be a CR that is palatable for at least some Senate Democrats to vote to end the filibuster, which really means supporting some version of a CR.
The government needs to be funded so Congressional Democrats can begin the real work of ending entitlement tax cuts for the billionaire class and so we can once again reign in the Federal deficit.
ACT NOW!!! Calling is the best way to get this message across to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, due to the short timeframe. Use your own words or use the sample message below.
Support a government that is for all Americans by voting NO on the continuing resolution passed by the House on Tuesday, March 11. Vote FOR a clean, short term CR.
Senator Amy Klobuchar Call her Washington DC office: (202) 224-3244 Send an email here
Senator Tina Smith Call her Washington DC office: (202) 224-5641 Send an email here |
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