WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today delivered remarks warning about the potential for a government shutdown directed and driven by the Democrats.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“Our government is too big. It spends too much. The American people want to see an end to the wasteful Washington spending. They want Washington to work for them, not for itself.
“President Trump shares those views. He wants government to work efficiently and effectively. He is putting a stop to the waste, fraud, and abuse.
“Democrats in this body are now threatening to shut down the government. Shutting down the government is not an outcome President Trump wants. It is not an outcome Senate Republicans want. It costs money to shut down the government. And it costs more money to reopen the government.
“Shutdown Democrats are acting irresponsibility. And they’re doing it to defend the wasteful Washington spending that Americans reject.
“This is the type of government waste that President Trump is finding. $2 million to develop sustainable recycling models in the Balkans. $19 million on biodiversity conversations in Nepal. $47 million to improve learning outcomes in Asia. $1.5 million on quote voter confidence in Liberia, Africa. $21 million for voter turnout in India.
“That is what the Democrats want to shut down the government for. To stop Republicans from rooting out the waste, fraud, and abuse.
“The government runs out of money in eight days. Yet more and more Democrats in Congress are calling for a shut down as the deadline nears.
“Here’s a headline from Politico this week: ‘Democrats are serious about a shutdown.’ Here’s a headline from the Hill this week: ‘Democrats digging in against full-year CR as shutdown deadline ticks closer.’
“Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said, yes, Democrats would shut down the government ‘if we have to.’ Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, a member of the leadership of the Democrat Party, said ‘Democrats will use every tool possible’ to stop President Trump. Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon said
he’s open to shutting down the government.
“Democrats in House leadership also refuse to come to the table and negotiate a spending deal. The Senate should reject these reckless efforts.
“A shutdown strains Border Patrol agents. A shutdown strains our military. Border Patrol agents and our troops would have to work during a shutdown without pay.
“These brave men and women should not have to pay the price because Democrats hate President Trump. They make enough sacrifices to protect our nation. Congress should be willing to make sure they get a paycheck – not play political games.
“Make no mistake: the American people want President Trump’s urgent action to continue. President Trump is doing exactly what Americans voted for.
“Shutdown Democrats are failing American taxpayers, failing our service members, and failing our border patrol agents.
“They sat on their hands during President Trump’s inspiring speech. They oppose the common sense change that Americans voted for.
“If there is a shutdown, it will be driven by and directed by the Democrats.”
###