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[Pages S1286-S1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Government Funding
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, we have a clear and obvious way to avoid
another government shutdown in 48 hours. The conference committee has
[[Page S1287]]
done its job. It has forged a bipartisan agreement that would keep the
government open through September as well as provide additional border
security.
As with all bipartisan agreements, it is the product of compromise.
Each side gave a little; each side got a little. The conferees deserve
our praise for their hard work, their commitment, and their success.
This agreement is the last train leaving the station away from
another dreaded government shutdown. The last time we were all in this
situation, the President signaled his support for a government funding
bill, only for him to retreat at the last possible moment--
precipitating the longest shutdown in our history. It was the Trump
shutdown, and he now seems to admit that again.
No one wants to see a rerun of that movie. The President must not
repeat his mistakes of the recent past.
President Trump, sign this bill.
Neither side got everything it wanted in this bill, but both sides
wanted to avoid another shutdown--Democrats and Republicans, House and
Senate.
President Trump, sign this bill.
The parameters of the deal are good. It provides additional funding
for smart, effective border security. Let me repeat that. It does not
fund the President's wall, but it does fund smart border security that
both parties support. It also provides humanitarian assistance and
beefs up security at our ports of entry. Though it hasn't been
discussed much during the negotiations, the passage of this agreement
clears the way for the six bipartisan appropriations bills that have
languished. These bills contain important priorities, including more
support for infrastructure, housing, Tribal healthcare, the census, and
money to combat the opioid crisis. I look forward to passing all of
these appropriations bills, alongside the DHS agreement, this week.
One of the last things that has to be dealt with is the negotiating
of a good compromise to fix some of the problems that have been created
by the Trump shutdown. We are trying to get the conferees to approve a
proposal to deal with Federal contractors. Thousands of Federal
contractors have not been reimbursed from the 35-day shutdown. This
issue is still hanging in the balance. The Republicans should join the
junior Senator from Minnesota and the Democrats in approving this
legislation as soon as possible.
The contractors, many of them just working people, are in the same
boat as government employees, except they haven't gotten their backpay.
They should. No one should stand in the way of that. It is just not
fair to them. They were hostages, just like the government workers were
hostages. So I hope we can include that in these final hours of
negotiations. It is very important.
Now, the only remaining obstacle to avoiding a government shutdown is
the uncertainty of the President's signature. So I repeat my request:
President Trump, say you will sign this bill. Remove the ax hanging
over everyone's head. To make progress in our democracy, you have to
accept the give-and-take. You have to accept some concessions. You have
to be willing to compromise.
Any American President who says my way or no way does a real
disservice to the American people. President Trump, in politics, to
quote the Rolling Stones, ``You can't always get what you want.'' It is
time to put the months of shutdown politics behind us.
