Senator John Thune Urges Democrats to End Government Shutdown with Clean CR

Government Shutdown Stalemate

• 📌 The government has been shut down for one week due to Democratic actions, prioritizing their base over the American people.
• 💡 The Senate has considered two continuing resolutions (CRs): a clean Republican CR and a Democratic proposal.

Republican vs. Democratic CRs

• 🎯 The Republican CR is a clean funding extension, without new policies, to continue current funding levels through November 21st for further appropriations progress.
• 💰 The Democratic proposal seeks $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending for funding only until October 31st, including provisions like healthcare for non-citizens and removal of work requirements for Medicaid.
• 🏥 Democrats' plan also repeals a $50 billion rural health fund established by Republicans.

Path to Reopening the Government

• 🚀 Senator Thune emphasizes that the Democratic $1.5 trillion bill has no chance of becoming law.
• ✅ The only viable path is passing the clean, nonpartisan CR that has already passed the House and is ready for signature.
• 🤝 This CR needs only a handful of Democratic votes to pass the Senate, especially with three Democrats already supporting it.

Consequences of the Shutdown

• ⚠️ Federal workers, including troops and border patrol, are working without pay.
• 📉 The National Flood Insurance Program has lapsed, and telehealth/hospital-at-home programs have expired, impacting rural areas.
• ⏳ Federal programs are depleting reserve funds, risking curtailment or cancellation of activities.

Call for Bipartisan Cooperation

• 📊 Democrats are blocking progress on bipartisan appropriations legislation by maintaining the shutdown.
• 🗣️ Thune urges Democrats to join Republicans in supporting the clean, nonpartisan CR, a measure they have supported previously.
• 🇺🇸 Ending the shutdown would allow Congress to return to work on behalf of the American people.