Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall urged the U.S. Senate to pass a short-term funding extension to avoid a federal government shutdown set to take effect on Wednesday.
Ivey and other Republican governors said in a letter to Senate leadership that the government shutdown would “deeply harm hardworking Americans across the United States.”
“As United States Governors, we urgently call on the Senate to immediately pass a clean short-term funding extension to prevent a government shutdown that would deeply harm hardworking Americans across our states. With the September 30th funding deadline quickly approaching, we implore the Senate to fast track the clean short-term extension that passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support,” Ivey said. “Holding the federal government funding hostage is not just a Washington, D.C. debate for political points, it has real and immediate consequences in every state across America that cannot be overlooked. From impacting pay for our troops, first responders, and firefighters to affecting critical services for seniors and veterans and disrupting food assistance for families in need, a government shutdown would inflict severe consequences on the American people that are completely avoidable."
"A shutdown is neither sustainable nor a responsible way to govern and the American people understand that. That is why we are calling on Senate Democrats to fulfill their duties, put their politicking behind, and do what’s best for the country: keep the government open," she continued. "There is no path forward for the Democrats’ nearly $1.5 trillion wish list that would give free healthcare to illegals and cut the single largest investment in rural health care in history— critical funding delivered in the President’s tax legislation that will improve rural health care nationwide.”
Marshall said, “A clean, short-term continuing resolution may not be ideal, but it is the responsible course of action to keep the federal government functioning while long-term budget negotiations continue.”
“This has been a clear priority for President Trump and his administration, and I stand with them in calling on the Senate to act now. This measure ensures that servicemen and women, border agents, state and local law enforcement, and first responders can continue protecting our nation and communities without disruption,” he added. “If the government shuts down, the blame will rest squarely with Democrats in Congress who are choosing partisanship over the American people.”
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