Kaine statement on vote to avert government shutdown

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine released a statement on his vote for a clean spending bill to fund the government through Nov. 15 and avert a government shutdown. The continuing resolution passed the Senate 54-44.

“Today I voted in support of a spending bill to continue funding the government and prevent an unnecessary shutdown of operations that would have serious economic consequences in Virginia and across the country.  The interim spending measure accepts the House’s proposed spending level through November 15. Since the Senate has accepted the House’s spending target, the House should now act promptly to accept the bill and avoid a shutdown.

“Some in the House are unsatisfied with a clean spending bill and want to additionally use the threat of shutdown to defund the Affordable Care Act. Had the Senate wanted to, we also could have used the threat of shutdown to force a vote on a Farm Bill, or our immigration reform proposal. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do business. We should have policy debates in the normal way and not let them intrude on basic responsibilities like operating government and honoring our fiscal obligations.”

Throughout the week, Kaine urged his Senate colleagues to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government. In remarks on the Senate floor, Kaine outlined the consequences of a shutdown. He also condemned the continued pattern of crisis-budgeting during a Senate Budget Committee hearing.