Collins issues statement on House push to fund parks, NIH

The 401 national parks are closed and 21,000 parks employees are furloughed. A bill offered by House Republicans would fund the parks and also the National Institute of Health.

The Democratic majority in the Senate refuses to consider a piecemeal approach to funding the federal government.

Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, issued this statement on Wednesday evening following the rejected offer from the Senate.

“Tonight, the House continued to work and offer reasonable and commonsense solutions to the partial government shutdown by passing bills to fully fund the National Institute of Health for critical research and open all national parks and museums.

“The American people should not be short changed because Washington can’t get its act together.

“Unfortunately, Senate Democrats continue to slam the door on our efforts to reopen the government by refusing to talk to House Republicans and negotiate a responsible budget solution.

“Congress must stop putting itself ahead of the American people. I continue to encourage my colleagues to voluntarily suspend or donate their pay, as I have, during a shutdown and refuse the special Obamacare exemptions for Congress, its staff and the White House.”