WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) released the following statement in response to Senate Democrats blocking appropriation legislation necessary to keep the government open:

“Back in September, the House passed all twelve appropriations bills to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2018. Then on Thursday, we responsibly passed a straightforward bill to fund the government. We did our job. Senate Democrats did not. 

“Now, half of the Defense Department’s civilian workforce has to be furloughed. Our military reservists have to stop training. Funding for low income children’s health care will soon expire in states around the country, including Minnesota. Sadly, Democrats have prioritized a non-budget related issue over our nation’s national security and now millions of Americans are being penalized.

“I am disappointed in any Senator or Congressman representing Minnesota who would continue to support this shutdown. There is simply no reason for its continuation. I hope that common sense and cooler heads will prevail, and Senate Democrats who shut the government down will open it back up. In the meantime I am committed to working for the people of the great state of Minnesota and the United States of America.”

Background:

On November 3, 2017 the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3922 to fully fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The measure failed in the Senate. On November 16, with a looming deadline for Minnesota’s CHIP funding, Congressman Emmer introduced the State CHIP Flexibility Act which would have allowed Minnesota to use carry-over funds to fund CHIP without being penalized. This measure also failed. On December 1, Emmer introduced the CHIP Stability Act (H.R. 4515) to keep Minnesota’s CHIP program afloat, which became law on December 8, 2017.

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