Rep. Tom Cole on Funding Package to End Government Shutdown

Funding the Government: A Necessary Task

• 📌 The core responsibility of legislators is to fund the government and ensure it continues to operate for the nation.
• 🎯 The current legislation aims to finalize six FY26 appropriations measures, with five fully funded and one, the Department of Homeland Security, under a two-week continuing resolution.

The Current Funding Package

• 🏛️ The package includes full funding for departments such as Defense, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, State, and Treasury.
• 💡 Funding these essential government missions is not optional and is a fundamental Article One duty.

Navigating Senate Amendments

• 🤝 A bipartisan and bicameral deal was initially struck, with the House acting expeditiously to approve the negotiated bills.
• ⚠️ The Senate has since altered the deal, presenting the House with a choice to accept the amended bill or reject it.
• ⚖️ The speaker believes accepting the amended bill, which funds 90% of the government, is a better outcome than receiving nothing.

Key Provisions and Future Outlook

• 💰 The bill will close out five appropriations bills and provide a short-term continuing resolution for Homeland Security, allowing for further negotiations.
• 🇺🇸 President Trump has engaged in good-faith conversations, emphasizing that holding the government hostage is unacceptable.
• ✅ The speaker is confident the final outcome will align closely with the initially negotiated measure, which included funding for ICE body cameras, de-escalation training, pay raises for Coast Guard and air traffic controllers, disaster preparedness, and efforts to combat fentanyl.
• ✨ The speaker urges support for the bipartisan package, emphasizing that doing the right thing for the American people is paramount.