GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVOIDED: Daines and Tester Support Bipartisan Solution

Funding to Keep National Parks Open, Continue Pay for Military and Border Patrol

Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today issued the following statements after voting to support the bipartisan short-term continuing budget resolution. The Senate vote was the final step in avoiding a government shutdown and ensuring our military and border patrol agents are paid on time and in full.

“Shutting down the government is not the answer to Congress’ fiscal insanity and it only hurts Montanans,” said Daines. “I voted to keep the government open, keep our National Parks open, pay our military and border patrol agents and continue a much-deserved increase in pay for our Montana wildland firefighters. Montanans should never have to pay the price for Congress’ broken budget process. I will continue to fight to restore order to our budget process and secure Biden’s out-of-control southern border.”

Senator Jon Tester’s statement on the subject is as follows:

“On a farm, you don’t get to play games and expect someone else to get the work done for you. That’s why I worked with Republicans and Democrats to reach a bipartisan agreement that ensures our troops get paid and we avoid a harmful shutdown. Now it’s time for Congress to work together on long-term solutions to address our country’s most pressing priorities, like lowering costs for working families, honoring the commitment we made to our veterans, securing the border, and ensuring our military has the tools they need to protect our country’s freedoms and combat Russian aggression.”

The Senate voted 88-9 to pass the continuing resolution funding the government at current levels through Nov. 17. The funding gives the Biden administration $16 billion it requested to assist victims of natural disasters, but provides no funding for Ukraine. Earlier in the day, the House passed the measure in a bipartisan 335-91 vote.