House votes to keep government going for another month
Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, joined the House of Representatives in a 230-197 vote to keep the government funded for four more weeks. The U.S. Senate needs to pass legislation too or else federal funding will lapse at midnight on Friday.
Collins said the House bill would prevent a government shutdown through Feb. 16. In addition to continuing government funding, the bill includes language to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, Collins said.
“Today, House Republicans voted to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, yet again providing certainty to millions of low-income children,” Collins said in a statement. “The bill also includes short-term funding to keep the government open and make sure our nation’s military has the resources they need to keep us safe.
“I am confident that we will come to a solution on a long-term funding bill while taking care of the DACA situation, but as negotiations continue I hope that Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats stop playing politics with the health of our nation’s children and vote to keep the government up and running.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, D-Rochester, voted no today.
“Sadly, this plan fails to adequately address the urgent priorities facing Congress, including bipartisan matters like reauthorizing Community Health Centers, defending veteran’s health care, addressing the pension crisis, and protecting more than 700,000 DREAMers – things Republicans and Democrats agree we need to act on,” Slaughter said. “It also turns a blind eye to victims who are still in desperate need of help in the wake of some of the worst hurricanes, mudslides, and wildfires our nation has ever experienced. That’s why I’m voting against this latest misguided proposal.
“I’m disappointed that Washington Republicans continue to lurch from crisis to crisis without any real plan. They hold the Senate, the House, and the White House – it is past time for them to govern responsibly. Without fiscal responsibility, the American people and the world are once again forced to wonder whether the greatest superpower on the planet can keep the lights on. This is no way to run the government of the United States.”
